SKETCHES 


OF   THE   LI?E   OF 


CAPTAIF  HUGH  A.  WHITE, 


OF    THK 


STOJVEWALL  BRIGADE 


I<V 


HIS    FATHER. 


COLUMBIA,  S.  C: 

il         AROLINIAN     STEAM     PHEHii 
1864. 


George  Washington  Flowers 
Memorial  Collection 

DUKF  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


ESTABLISHED  BY  THE 
FAMILY  OF 

COLONEL  FLOWERS 


SKETCHES 


OF   THE   LIFE   OF 


CAPTAIN  HUGH  A.  WHITE, 


OF    THE 


STONEWALL   BRIGADE. 


BY 


•HIS    FATHER, 


COLUMBIA,  S.  C: 

SOUTH     CAROLINIAN     STEAM     PRESS 
1864. 


V,i5^ 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  people  of  our  country  appreciate  the  preciousness  of  the  sacri- 
fices by  which  their  rights  and  independence  are  now  purchasing  for 
them.  One  evidence  of  this  is  the  eagerness  of  the  public  for  all 
memorials  of  their  gallant  dead.  The  appetite  for  such  reading  is 
rational;  and  to  gratify  it,  by  unfolding  the  christian  courage  and 
other  graces  of  our  young  heroes,  is  a  most  timely  and  appropriate 
mode  of  doing  good.  There  have  been  more  illustrious  sacrifices  made 
by  Virginia  for  the  cause  than  that  of  Hugh  Augustus  White,  but 
none  purer.  His  position  in  society  and  in  the  army  was  modest, 
because  of  his  youth ;  but  none  were  carried  forward  by  nobler  or 
more  ingenuous  motives.  The  writer  had  known  him  from  a  child, 
when  visiting  the  hospitable  and  happy  home  of  his  father,  and  had 
known  him  for  the  gentle,  intellectual,  and  conscientious  boy  he  is 
painted  by  the  tender  but  not  partial  hand  of  the  author  of  the  fol- 
lowing sketch.  In  September,  1859,  Hugh  appeared  as  a  young  man 
at  Union  Theological  Seminary,  to  stud}^  divinity,  in  preparation  for 
the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  He  was  then  in  person  slender  and 
graceful,  with  a  face  somewhat  pallid  and  boyish,  but  with  a  quiet 
dignity  of  bearing  which  effectually  rescued  it  from  effeminacy.  His 
relations  to  his  former  comrades  in  study  seemed  to  be  peculiarly 
cordial,  and  similar  ties  were  speedily  formed  with  his  new  associates. 
It  was  then  the  writer  had  an  opportunity  to  observe  his  character 
more  closely.  And  it  ultimately  unfolded  itself  as  one  ,pf  rare  intel- 
lectual and<  moral  symmetry.  That  may  be  said  of  him  which  can  be 
affirmed  of  very  few,  that  he  was  never  known,  during  his  whole 
Seminary  course,  to  do  an  act  which  caused  pain  to  his  instructors. 
And  if  a  single  jar  ever  occurred  in  the  christian  harmony  of  his 
intercourse  with  his  equals,  it  was  unknown  to  his  teachers.  Towards 
his  comrades  there  was  a  sweetness  and  spiritmility  of  temper  which 


}  lNTROI»t:OTION. 

'  dUannod  petulance  itself,  and  sccuicd  to  make  oflPence  impossible.  In 
the  performnucc  of  his  tasks  as  a  pupil,  there  was,  so  far  a^  the  writer 
can  recall,  an  absolute  punctuality.  lie  was  always  in  place,  except 
when  able  to  ^nve  a  good  account  of  his  absence  j  and  recitations  were 
always  prepared,  not  only  with  respectable  attention,  but  with  tborourrh- 
ncss.  Moreover,  the  capacity  which  he  displayed  was  of  a  high  order. 
Acquisition  seemed  to  be  to  him  easy,  and  yet  exact.  His  understind- 
injr  gra-sped  the  most  profound  subjects ;  his  conceptions  were  distinct 
and  perspicuous,  and  his  whole  mind  displayed  the  maturity  of  the 
thoroughly  cultivated  man  rather  than  of -the  youth  of  nineteen.  This 
uniformity  of  dcTelopmcnt  will  appear  to  the  thouj:htful  reader  in  all 
that  he  ha.s  wiitteu.  His  style  has  the  sobriety  of  the  man  rather  than 
the  florid  dress  of  youth ;  his  turns  of  thought  are  all  natural,  unam- 
bitious, and  simple.  IJut  the  justness  of  his  mind  will  be  bpst  appre- 
ciated by  those  who  have  most  studied  the  subjects  which  he  treats. 
Nor  was  there  a  lack  of  energy.  He  displayed  none  of  those  salient 
extravagances  of  thought,  expression,  or  conduct,  by  which  young  men 
often  securo  a  temporary  character  for  genius  and  originality.  It  was 
not  because  his  powers  were  beneath  them,  but  above  them.  It  was 
not  because  he  lacked  invention  or  originality,  but  because  his  mind 
had  already  grown  to  a  stature  too  manly  for  these  ephemeral  graces. 
lILi  christian  character  was  as  .strong  and  decided  as  it  was  sweet,  and 
HO  his  faculties  of  mind  were  vigorous,  as  well  sis  harmonious. 

It  is  of  such  a  character  that  we  justly  form  the  highest  expecta- 
tions, as  to  its  future  usefulness  and  success.  Had  IIUGil  A.  WllITK 
lived,  he  would  have  made  no  startling  debut  in  his  profession,  but 
assuming  at  the  outset  an  attitude  of  enviable  respectability,  he  would 
quietly,  yet  'rapidly,  have  grown  upon  his  brethren,  and  developed 
capacities  adequatu  to  the  very  highest  honors  of  the  Church.  His 
was  juijt  the  mind  to  receive  the  highest  culture,  and  to  grow  longest 
and  most  happily  by  it.  Such  arc  the  capacities  which  are  most  valu- 
able to  the  (Church  and  most  enviable  to  their  pos.sessors.  If  they 
create  less  sensation  at  the  outset,  they  do  not  neutralize  a  part  of  the 
usefulness  of  their  wiser  years  by  the  crude  extravagancies  of  their 
inexperience. 

Jiut  before  his  course  of  divinity  was  completed,  his  patriotism  called 
him  away  from  Lis  studies,  as  the  reader  will  learn  from  his  narrative. 


ENTEODUCTION.  5 

The  next  time  the  writer  saw  him  was  upon  the  glorious  field  of 
Manassas,  where  the  young  volunteer  had  just  covered  himself  with 
honor  by  his  brilliant  courage.  In  the  gray  jacket  of  the  private  he 
was  the  same  modest,  gedtle,  graceful,  and  unobtrusive  stripling. 
Again  we  met  in  the  glorious  campaign  of  the  Valley,  in  1862,  when 
he  had  become  the  captain  of  the  Liberty  Hall  Volunteers.  He 
appeared  a  little  more  bronzed  and  robust,  but  in  everything  else  he 
was  the  same.  Yet  in  all  the  responsibilities  of  discipline  and  danger, 
the  sweet  boy-man  shone  forth,  full  of  nerve,  energy,  and  heroism. 
The  writer  can  also  testify,  from  his  own  observation,  to  the  elevated 
consistency  and  heavenly  mindedness  of  his  christian  character  in 
the  camp. 

The  life  of  Hugh  White,  which  follows,  will  be  perceived  to  be 
mainly  an  autobiography.  His  friends  have  judged  its  perusal  would 
be  profitable  to  his  former  cojorades  in  arms  and  to  the  christian 
public,  not  because  of  the  novelty  of  his  career,  but  because  of  the 
forcible  though  quiet  lessons  which  it  teaches  concerning  "  the  beauty 
of  holiness."  His  story  has,  alas,  so  many  counterparts,  in  these  days 
of  heroic  endeavor  and  costly  sacrifice,  that  it  will  now  read  almost  as 
though  it  were  unromantic  and  uneventful.  He  grew  up  in  a  happy 
and  refined  christian  home ;  he  was  cultivated  by  all  the  arts  of  polite 
learning;  he  was  ingenuous,  gentle,  pure,  beloved  j  he  seemed  to  have 
before  him  the  most  inviting  paths  of  a  peaceful  life,  garnished  with 
the  sweetest  flowers  of  learning  and  friendship;  he  heard  his  country's 
oall  and  turned  aside  from  those  paths  at  the  dictate  of  duty,  sadly, 
yet  resolutely ;  he  endured,  and  fought,  and  died ;  and  now  be  lies 
uncoiSned  in  a  soldier's  grave,  with  all  the  hopes  and  aspirations  of 
fond  parents  and  friends  forever  blighted,  save  this  chief  wish,  that  he 
might  live  and  die  worthily :  Such  is  the  narrative  so  often  repeated 
over  the  tombs  of  others  of  his  countrymen. 

But  there  are  lessons  in  this  short  life  which  make  us  unwillin"-  to 
let  his  memory  die.  Apart  of  these  are  read  in  the  filial  and  christian 
graces  which  find  an  expression  so  truthful  and  b(*autiful  in  his  letters. 
Let  the  young  man  learn  hero  how  consistent  manliness  is  with  purity 
and  tenderness.  It  is  not  rudeness,  ingratitude,  stubbornness  against 
parental  authority,  which  makes  the  youth  of  spirit.  On  the  contrary, 
we  here  see  a  filial   love  as  tender  and  pure  as  that  of  a  daughter, 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

duli|;htiiig  to  repose  with  childlike  simplicity  upon  a.  mother's  bosom, 
with  perfect  docility  and  reverence  lor  parental  authority,  united  to  a 
daring  and  manhood  which  mode  the  great  Jackson  lament  his  fall  as 
that  of  ''  a  j>crsonal  friend."  Let  the  bitizen  read  here  a  striking 
illastration  of  the  principles  which  should  actuate  his  patriotism ;  of 
purposes  formed  and  sacrifices  made,  not  from  ambition  or  love  of 
fame,  but  from  the  calm  and  elevated  conviction  of  duty.  Let  the 
soldier  learn  from  such  lives  the  ground  of  true  courage,  which  is  the 
fear  of  God.  How  sublime  is  the  determination,  the  fortitude  of  the 
tender  stripling,  all  unused  to  danger  or  hardship,  ecnv«rted,  by  his 
trust  in  God  and  devotion  to  .duty,  into  a  mighty  man  of  war.  The 
military  career  of  such  men  gives  a  striking  testimony  to  the  justice 
and  sacrcdness  of  our  cause.  These  have  usually  been  appreciated  by 
our  people  directly  in  proportion  to  the  purity  and  elevation  of  their 
principles.  Our  enemies,  when  acknowledging  the  sincerity  and 
virtue  of  these  martyrs  to  our  liberties,  say  that  a  good  man  may,  by 
some  unlucky  perversion  of  his  affections,  espouse  a  bad  cause.  But, 
we  reply,  how  conies  it  that  all  men  among  us  uniformly  espouse  our 
cause  with  an  ardor  and  decision  proportioned  to  their  excellence  ? 
Of  all  men.  young  White  was  least  a  polemic  or  partisan;  there  was 
nothing  belligereut  in  his  temper;  there  was  no  craving  for  place,  or 
power,  or  popular  applause ;  every  desire  of  his  heart  had  turned  to 
objects  of  a  different  nature.  Yet  when  his  inquiry  was  made  into  the 
merits  of  this  war,  in  prayer  and  fasting,  over  an  open  IJible,  with 
eUirnity  and  God  betfore  his  eyes,  he  wius  led  to  the  conclusion  that  his 
country's  quarrel  was  just,  and  that  she  was  entitled  to  his  arm,  with  a 
force  of  conviction  whii-h  resisted  the  persuasions  even  of  parental 
love.  The  only  explanation  of  such  a  result  is  in  the  clear  righteous- 
ness of  our  self-defence.  Now,  he  who  has  espoused  his  side  in  this 
way  may  well  afford  to  die  for  it.  He  has  counted  the  cost;  he  has 
foreseen  everything;  and  death  is  disarmed  of  its  terrors  to  him.  Can 
not  even  the  profane  see,  in  the  wrestling  prayers  and  holy  self-conse- 
cration of  that  day  ^cnt  in  fasting  in  his  cloister,  when  he  besought 
God's  answer  to  the  question  whether  he  should  fight  for  his  country, 
the  spring  of  the  courage  which  bore  him  through  so  many  bloody 
fields  ? 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

The  crowning  lesson,  however,  of  his  life,  is  in  his  symmetrical  and 
scriptural  piety.  In  the  expressions  of  it  which  he  gives,  all  is  sober, 
yet  fervent,  manly,  yet  tender.  There  is  no  extravagance — none  of  the 
cant  of  religious  fashion.  The  compiler  of  the  narrative,  with  admira- 
ble judgment,  has  so  arranged  the  materials  as  to  permit  the  character 
of  his  subject  to  body  itself  forth  in  its  own  fair  proportions.  Let  the 
reader  look  at  it  until  he  comprehends  its  moral  beauty,  and  is  warmed 
and  ennobled  by  it.  Like  the  marble,  it  displays  no  glaring  colors,  but 
all  is  simple,  soft,  and  pure.  Like  that  marble  shaped  by  the  hand  of 
genius,  it  presents  no  extravagance  of  proportions;  its  beauty  and  grace 
are  subdued  by  their  very  harmony,  so  that  the  ignorant  or  the  per- 
verted taste  may  pronounce  it  devoid  of  the  inspiration  of  genius. 
But  the  eye  of  true  taste,  the  longer  it  gazes,  is  the  more  filled  and 
satisfied  and  elevated  by  its  beauty.  Let  us  consider  it  well,  and  thus 
become  "followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience  have 
inherited  the  promises." 

ROBERT  L.  DABNEY. 

Union  Theological  Seminary,  Va., 
June  15,  1863. 


SKETCHES. 


CHAPTER    I 


BIRTH,  CHILDHOOD,   AND    YOUTH,    TO    THE    18tII    YEAR   OF    HIS    AGE. 

Hugh  A.  "White  was  the  fifth  sou  and  the  seventh  child  of 
Wm.  S.  and  Jane  I.  White.  He  was  born  in  Charlottesville, 
Albemarle  County,  Va.,  on  the  6th  of  September,  1840  ;  and 
was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  James  Wharey,  of  Goochland.  He 
was  so  quiet  and  noiseless  a  child  that  his  father  remembers 
less  of  him  at  that  period  than  of  any  one  of  his  children. 
Yet  he  was  by  no  means  wanting  in  vivacity,  and  was  rather 
distinguishea  for  thoughtfnlness  and  intelligence.  It  was  his 
habit  to  listen  with  deep  attention  and  lively  interest  to  the 
animated,  and  sometimes  almost  boisterous  conversation  of  the 
other  children.  If  he  spoke  at  all,  it  was  when  the  conversa- 
tion had  subsided  almost  into  silence  ;  and  then  he  ordinarily 
made  some  sage  or  humorous  remark,  which  evinced  the 
intelligent  attention  he  had  given  to  all  that  had  been  said. 
This  habit  followed  him  through  life.  In  a  sketch,  hereafter 
to  be  inserted,  entitled  "  A  Sick  Mother's  Bedside,"  he  refers 
to  himself  as  the  second  son  in  the  group,  who  "  was  silent, 
but  thoughtful." 

His  mother's  recollection  of  him  is  very  vivid.  She  says: 
"He  never  gave  me  trouble,  but  was  always  and  only  a  com- 
fort to  me.  I  not  only  never  knew  him  to  tell  a  falsehood,  but 
he  did  not  seem  to  know  how  to  equivocate.  In  the  revelries 
and  childish  contests  of   the  nursery,  he  took  no  jiart.     He 


0  '^  yL  .^  kni^  it<AUjt^  Tit 

!<•  /      RKETCHEB.  .^       /  •  »     A     Cx      r 

would  always  yield  rather  than  contend.  He  rarely,  if  ever, 
complained  of  any  injustice,  real  or  supposed,  on  the  part  of 
the  other  children,  and  I  never  saw  him  raise  his  hand  against 
K  human  bein^  or  a  living  thing." 

•  He  was  so  observant  of  all  that  passed,  seemed  to  acquire 
knowledge  so  readily  from  his  intercourse  with  the  older 
children,  or  by  listening  to  what  passed  in  the  parlor  or  his 
father's  study,  that  he  was  not  put  to  his  books  at  so  early  an 
age  as  is  common.  He  was  sent  to  school  at  seven  years  of  .a; 
age,  and  at  that  period  had  bareh'  learned  to  read.  He  never 
appeared  to  be  a  hard  student.  What  a  fellow-student  in  the 
Theological  Seminary  said  of  him  was  true  from  the  begin- 
ning— ''  He  was  a  successful,  rather  than  a  hard  student." 
He  acquired  knowledge  so  readily  that  he  had  no  occasion  to 
linger  long  at  a  time  over  his  l)ooks.  His  first  and  only 
teacher  in  Cliarlottesvilie,  the  excellent  Mr.  Thomas  Wooclson, 
was  accustomed  to  say  of  him,  "  Give  him  what  I  may  to  do, 
he  seems  to  accom])lish  it  without  an  eflbrt."  And  yet  he  was 
by  no  means  idle,  or  neglectful  of  his  lessons.  From  the  time 
he  commenced  going  to  school,  he  formed  the  habit  of  placing 
his  book  under  his  pillow  when  he  went  to  bed,  and  as  soon  as 
the  light  of  the  morning  permitted,  he  might  bo  seen,  book  in 
hand,  passing  his  eyes  over  his  lesson. 

He  was  fon<l  of  society,  but  seemed  to  have  an  ihstinctive 
abhorrence  for  bad  company.  He  entered  with  great  anima- 
tion into  the  ordinary  amusemcntB  of  schoolboys  in  recess, 
but  ho  never  walked  the  streets  in  search  of  amusement ;  and 
none  of  the  family  recollect  an  instance  in  which  he  was 
known  tit  ])articij)ate,  even  as  an  eye-witness,  in  scenes  of 
dissipation  or  mischief.  The  truth  is,  that  from  childhood,  he 
seemed  to  think  that  the  ])roper  place  for  the  right  sort  of 
recreation,  and  even  amusement,  was  the  i)arlor  and  chamber 
over  which  his  mother  presided.  He  not  only  looked  up  to 
her  as  his  rightful  ruler,  but  also  as  his  best  friend  and  choice 
Companion.  In  her  ordinary  rounds  of  domestic  duty — when 
not  at  school — he  was  at  her  side.     In  a  word,  he  studied  and 


V\l  SKETCHES.  V  ^    -^    ^I-VCA^^     C^        j  -- 

labored  to  lighten  her  burden  and  cheer  her  heart.     He  went 

on  errands  for  her  and  his  sisters  with  the  utmost  cheerfulness. 

When  a  mere  child,  he  learned  to  make  purchases  for  them  of 

the  merchants,  and  thus  saved  them  many  a   weary  walk. 

Nor  was  he  by  an}^  means  a  stranger  in  his  father's  stud}'. 

Here  he  came  whenever  he  desired,  and  was  always  a  welcome 

guest,  for  he  never  came  to  hinder,  but  to  help.  Nothing  pleased  : 

him  better  tlian  for  his  father  to  say  to  him,    "My  son,  here 

are  some  letters  for  the  post-office ;  or  here  are  some  tracts  I 

wish  distributed,  or  some  good  books  I  wish  sold."     When  not 

more  than  twelve  years  of  age  he  rendered  efficient  service  as 

his  father's  colporteur  thi'ough  his  congregation.     He  would 

often  say,  as  he  entered  the  study,   "  Father,  don't  you  want 

these  papers  and   pamphlets  put  in   order,  and   your   books 

dusted  ? "     At  the  same  early  age,  he  became  very  useful  as  a 

collector  for  charitable  and  religious  objects. 

With  such  principles  and  linbits,  it  will  surprise  no  one  to 
be  told  that  he  was  never  known  to  utter  a  profane  expression, 
to  drink  intoxicating  liquors,  or  even  to  indulge  in  the  use  of 
tobacco. 

He  entered  tlie  Freshman  Class  in  Washington  College,  in 
September,  1854,  when  he  was  just  fourteen  years  of  age. 
As  to  his  career  in  college,  it  is  enough  to  say  that  he  ranked 
well — very  wull.  Tlie  traits  already  mentioned  as  conspicuous 
in  early  childhood  were  only  more  fully  developed  during  liis 
college  course.  He  was  ap])ointed  tutor  both  of  Latin  and 
Mathematics  as  he  entered  the  Senior  Class.  He  graduated  -^  t^vui 
with  distinction  in  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age,  receiving  i-i  w  v>  t- 
one  of  the  gold  medals  which  are  always  awarded  in  this  col- 
lege, to  the  three  most  distinguished  scholars  of  the  graduating 
class.  * 

In  his  Sophomore  year,  when  just  fifteen  years  six  months 
old,  he  sought  connection  witli  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  of 
which  his  father  was  the  pastor.  The  religious  principle  had 
been  implanted  so  quietly  and  developed  so  gradually,  that 
when  asked  by  a  member  of  the  Session  when  his  sjiiritual  life 


12  SKETCUEa. 

commenced,  he  could  not  answer.  His  parents  have  no  recol- 
lection of  tlie  period  when — accordinjr  to  their  best  judi^nicnt — 
his  life  was  not  that  of  a  child  of  God.  From  the  time  he 
could  read,  he  loved  to  read  of  Christ,  and  long  before  that  ho 
loved  to  iiear  of  him. 

He  delifjhted  in  tlie  Sal)batli  Scliool ;  first  as  a  ])upil  and 
then  as  a  teacher.  Tliroui,'h  life — to  the  period  of  hisenterinj^ 
the  army — he  was  one  or  the  other.  His  last  service  of  this 
sort  was  rendered  in  the  colored  Sabbath  School,  connected 
with  the  Ixwington  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  General 
Thomas  J.  Jjckeon  was  the  Superintendent. 

Shortly  after  he  connected  himself  with  the  Church,  the 
Ilev.  Dr.  Wm.  .1.  Hoge,  then  a  Professor  in  Union  Tiieol(»gical 
Seminary,  Va.,  made  us  a  visit.  Hugh  accompanied  him  to 
the  Natural  Bridge.  A  few  hours  after  their  return,  he 
entered  his  father's  study,  and  said  with  much  emotion, 
"  Father,  Dr.  Hoge  requested  me  to  ascertain  how  many  of 
the  students  of  AVashington  College  are  thinking  seriously  of 
the  ministry  of  the  Gosi)el  as  their  profession.  1  have  done 
bo:"  and  then  handed  me  a  paper  containing  a  list  of  their 
names ;  and  as  the  tears  started  from  his  eyes,  said,  "  My 
name  is  not  tliere.  I  was  afraid  to  ]ilace  it  there  until  I  had 
consulted  you."  An  interview  then  followed  never  to  be  for- 
gotten, after  which  he  added  his  name  to  the  list,  and  left  the 
study  with  a  beaming  face  and  elastic  step.  From  that  hour 
his  ])urposc  never  faltered. 

Two  months  after  graduating  he  took  charge  of  a  school  in 
Union,  Monroe  County,  which  he  taught  for  a  session  of  ten 
months.  In  this  enterprise  he  succeeded  even  beyond  the 
most  sanguine  expectations  of  his  most  partial  friends. 

Early  in  Softtember,  1859,  he  jiut  himself  irWder  the  care  of 
Lexington  Presbytery  as  a  candidate  for  tiie  ministry,  and 
went  with  eight  others — one  of  whom  was  an  elder  brother — 
to  T^nion  Theological  Seminary  in  Prince  Edward,  Va.  Here 
he  8i)ent  two  sessions.  At  the  close  of  this  ]>eriod  he  entered 
the  army.     The  northern  had  made  war  upon   the  southet'n 


6KKTCHES.  *  18 

portion  of  the  United  States,  and  the  desperate  work  of  inva- 
sion had  comnicnced.  The  jjious  youni?  student  saw  that  his 
native  State,  his  home,  and  his  loved  parents  were  in  danger, 
and  he  resolved .  to  take  part  in  their  defence.  The  motives 
that  impelled  him  to  take  this  step  will  fully  appear  in  the 
following  pages. 

To  illustrate  the  tenderness  and  strength  of  his  filial  aftec- 
tions,  and  the  de})th  of  his  piety  at  the  period  embraced  in 
this  chapter,  the  following  ])apers  are  inserted,  written  in  the 
BBventeenth  year  of  his  age  : 

"MORTALrrY    OF   MAN. 

"Not  only  the  tolling  bell,  the  funeral  procession,  the 
habiliments  of  mourning,  but  even  the  closing  of  the  day, 
when  the  evening  shades  are  drawn  as  a  mantle  over  the 
earth,  and  the  busy  whirl  of  life  ceases,  all  conspire  to  remind 
us  that  our  time  on  earth  is  limited.  Some  dread  the  quiet 
evening  hour  when  one's  own  thoughts  become  his  only  com- 
panions, and  when  he  is  almost  forced  to  think  of  his  present 
condition  and  future  destiny.  To  avoid  such  companionship, 
many  seek  to  lose  themselves  in  the  sweet  forgetfulness  of* 
sleep,  or  to  find  relief  in  laying  plans  of  earthly  gain  or 
pleasure.  But  to  otiiers  these  monitors  of  their  mortality 
are  messengers  of  Heaven — welcome  visitors — and  they  are 
never  happier  than  when  permitted 

' To   8tpal  a  while  away 

From  every  cumbering  care  ; 

And  spend  the  iiours  of  setting  day 
In  humble,  grateful  prayer.' 

At  such  times  this  vain  world  may  be  driven  back,  and  the 
devout  mind  may  meditate  with  unutterable  pleasure  upon 
heavenly  things,  and  feel  itself  drawn  inta  closer  fellowship 
with  a  God  of  purity  and  love.  In  such  a  frame  as  this,  no 
thoughts  are  so  welcome  as  those  of  death,  a  future  state,  an 
endless  eternity.  True,  death  sunders  many  tender  ties,  but 
the  tenderest  and  best  of  all  it  does  not  break,  but  ratlier 


14  ^  t.KETCIIE8. 

gtrcnpllicns — I  mean  that  which  unites  him  witli  tlie  throne 
of  God. 

"  Amid  tlie  tnrmoil  of  lifo,  wc  are  apt  to  forget  wliat  a  cahn 
haven  awaits  our  souls,  in  which  we  shall  enjoy  perpetual 
poAce.  'Tis  the  hope  of  this  liaven  which  cheers  my  weary 
fcpirit,  and  brightens  my  darkest  hours.  From  that  haven 
there  comes  a  light  as  bright  and  constant  as  the  God  from 
whom  it  emanates.  T^ook  wliich  way  else  I  may,  all  is  dark 
and  uncertain.  But  looking  to  the  heavenly  hills,  I  lind  a 
])eace  the  world  can  neither  give  nor  take  away." 

"  A  mother's  sick  bed. 

"Tlie  prayer-bell  had  ruwj:,  and  a  father,  with  a  daughter 
and  three  sons  had  assembled  for  morning  worship.  But  one 
was  absent  from  that  little  group.  The  i>ious  mother  lay  in 
her  chamber,  on  a  bed  of  sickness.  The  door  opening  from 
the  chamber  into  the  father's  study,  in  which  famil}-  wor- 
ship was  conducted,  was  partly  open,  that  the  mother  might 
particijfate  with  the  lather  and  the  children  in  this  delightful 
service.  The  father  led  in  the  singing,  and  then  with  deep 
'solemnity,  opening  the  Book  of  God,  read  a  portion  of  its 
Bacred  teachings.  Then  turning  to  the  eldest  of  the  three 
sons — just  entering  upon  manhood — requested  him  to  lead  in 
]>raver.  They  bowed  the  knee  with,  perhaps,  unusual  so- 
lemnity, because  a  son  and  brother  was  to  pray,  and  because 
God's  afflictive  hand  deprived  them  of  the  mother's  presence. 
The  voice  of  the  son  faltered  for  a  time,  but  his  heart  soon 
warmed,  and  his  tongue  became  lluent,  as  he  prayed  that  our 
heaN-enly  Father  would  stay  his  afflictive  hand  and  restore  the 
sick  mother  to  her  accustomed  place  in  that  family  circle. 
The  j)rayer  was  simple  but  appro])riate.  it  abounded  in  apt 
(juotations  of  Scripture,  and  seemed  to  flow  from  a  heart  tilled 
with  love  to  that  mother,  and  with  solicitude  for  her  recovery. 

"When  the  service  closed,  the  three  sons  withdrew  to  that 
mother's  bedside  to  inquire  for  her  health.  The  tears  still 
stood  in  her  eyes,  evincing  the  depth  and  tenderness  of  her 


SKETCHES.  15 

feclinp^s.  She  had  heard  that  prayer,  and  tears  of  gratitude  to 
God  flowed  freely  from  that  mother's  eyes.  She  could  not 
restrain  this  expression  of  her  feelings  oil  an  occasion  so 
solenm  and  so  tender.  The  inquiries  for  her  health  were 
answered,  and  every  tongue  was  silent.  But  soon  that  mother 
must  speak,  and  addressing  the  eldest,  she  said,  '  My  son,  I 
thank  you  for  that  prayer.  It  is  the  first  time  I  ever  heard  a 
child  of  mine  pray  for  me.  I  could  bnt  say,  when  your 
prayer  was  ended,  God  bless  my  son.'  '  May  both  of  our 
prayers  be  answered,  mother,'  was  the  appropriate  reply  of 
the  son.  A  love  then  glowed  in  the  hearts  of  that  little  circle, 
unknown  to  the  world.  The  mother  then  spoke  of  her  death, 
and  the  hearts  of  her  sons  were  stirred  to  their  lowest  depths. 
She  touched  a  deep  and  tender  chord — no  other  than  that 
which  binds  the  hearts  of  children  to  affectionate  and  pioiis 
parents.  The  thought  of  the  severing  of  that  chord  was  ter- 
rible. She  next  spoke  of  her  uselessness,  and  said  perhaps  it 
would  be  best  for  her  to  be  removed  out  of  the  way  of  others. 
To  this  the  youngest  of  the  three  sons — about  twelve  years  of 
age — replied  with  surprise  and  emotion,  '  Mother,  you  are  very 
useful;'  and  went  on  with  boyish  eloquence  to  point  out  the 
ways  in  which  she  had  always  been  so  to  all  around  her.  At 
this  the  mother's  countenance  glowed  with  a  radiance  which 
bespoke  the  depth  and  tenderness  of  her  emotions,  and  a  smile 
of  approbation  passed  over  her  kind  face  all  bedewed  with 
tears.  Tlu  second  son  was  silent^  hut  tJwughtful.  The  mother 
recovered  from  her  sickness,  but  never  shall  that  scene  pass 
from  the  minds  and  hearts  of  those  who  witnessed  it.  May 
the  God  of  that  father  and  motlier  be  the  God  of  all  their 
children,  and  continue  to  answer  in  the  future,  as  IIo  has  iu 
the  past,  their  prayers  for  each  other." 


1 0  SKETCHK8. 

''  A    rHAYKU, 

Su^gf/fUd  hy  Ilehi'cwB  7,   25 :     *  Tic   u   ahle  to  save   to  the 
uttcnnost^^  die. 

"  Heavenly  Father,  I  thank  tlice  for  this  truth.  If  it  were 
not  for  this,  I  must  be  lost ;  but  with  it,  I  will  not  despair,  but 
liopc  to  be  saved.  I  know  that  by  nature  I  am  totally 
depraved  and  utterly  undone.  And  the  new  nature  begotten 
within  me,  as  I  hoj)e,  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  very  defective. 
Yet  Christ  has  provided  a  complete  salration  by  which  every 
moral  want  of  my  fallert  nature  may  be  sup})lied,  if  I  only 
come  arij^ht  to  Him.  Opjiressed,  therefore,  with  a  sense  of 
my  sins,  panting  to  be  freed  from  their  guilt  and  pollution,  I 
come  to  thee,  O  Saviour,  and  cast  myself  just  as  I  am  on 
thee  and  thee  alone : 

*  Other  refuge  have  I  none, 

Hangs  my  helpless  soul  on  thee.' 

Blessed  Jesus !  I  do  remember  and  now  ])lead  before  thee 
thine  own  pronn'se,  not  to  cast  out  any  who  come  to  God 
through  thee  ;  and  the  truth  uttered  by  thy  servant,  as  thou 
didst  inspire  and  commission  him  to  utter,  that  thou  art  able 
to  save  to  the  uttermost,  I  do  accept  as  divinely  true,  and 
thus  may  I  be  delivered,  and  enabled  to  rejoice  in  God,  my 
Saviour." 

These  are  specimens  of  his  earliest  productions,  and  are 
inserted  ehieily  for  the  sake  of  those  who  delude  themselves 
with  the  thought  that  they  are  too  young  to  love  and  serve 
the  Saviour.  From  a  very  early  age  he  was  cool,  methodical, 
and  persistent  in  whatever  he  undertook.  His  movements 
were  brisk,  but  never  had  the  appearance  of  luivrv.  What  ho 
did  was  always  done  thoroughly. 

In  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  age,  and  at  the  close  of  his 
Sophomore  year  in  college,  he  was  appointed  by  the  Com- 
mittee of  Lexington  Presbyter}'  |;o  supply  a  portion  of  Rock- 
bridge  County   with  the  tracts  and   books  of  the  Board  of 


Publication.  In  this  service  he  spent  his  vacation,  and  was 
verj'  successful.  The  account  he  kept  of  the  places  visits, 
and  the  books  sold  or  given  away,  illustrates  his  character  for 
methodical  industry,  promptitude,  and  perseverance.  He 
omitted  nothinf;;  in  his  memoranda  which  could  serve  to  place 
his  work  full}?^  before  the  Committee.  The  titlp,  the  price,  and 
the  name  of  the  purchaser  of  each  book  is  distinctly  stated. 
During  his  first  day's  ride,  he  says:  "1  went  to  Major  Hutton's, 
but  he  had  gone  to  dine  with  a  neighbor.  Being  alone,  unac- 
quainted with  the  people,  and  unaccustomed  to  my  work,  I 
felt  terribly  lonesome  and  longed  to  be  at  home.  I  went  in 
search  of  the  Major,  and  receiving  encouragement  from  him, 
journeyed  down  the  creek  in  better  spirits.  I  stopped  at  the 
house  of  Mr.  C,  and  sold  him  one  Confession  of  Faith  for  37-| 
cents.  Much  obliged  to  him.''''  This  was  the  first  book  he 
sold,  and  the  concluding  sentence  exhibits  his  pleasure  at  the 
event,  and  also  the  childlike  amiability  of  his  dispositioif. 

lie  mentions  selling  three  books  to  a  man,  and  adds:  "I 
foolishly  threw  in  a  little  cheap  book  which  many  others 
might  have  received  with  equal  profit,  who  were  not  able  to 
pay  for  it." 

Another  entry  is  as  follows :  "  Stopped  at  a  very  neat  house. 
The  family  were  poor,  but  pious— seemed  well  supplied  with 
books — gave  no  excuse  for  not  buying,  but  Jioj)ed  I  would  n't 
he  discouraged^ 

"  One  man  said  to  me,  don't  want  any — got  more  now  than  I 
can  read." 

"  How  often  I  have  discovered  that  I  must  not  judge  of  the 
sense  or  goodness  of  people  by  their  outward  ap]>earance." 

In  closing  his  account  of  liis  first  expedition,  he  says  :  "  I 
greatly  fear  I  have  not  enough  of  tlie  Christian  spirit  while 
ministering  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  others." 

In  liis  second  tour,  he  sa^s :  "  I  gave  to  a  very  poor  woman 
Baxter's  Call.     Slie  said,  'I  will  keep  this  book  forever.     I 
mean  as  long  as  I  live.'  " 
8 


lb  •  SKETOHES. 

"  I  called  at  a  house  near .     The  lady  said  she  pre- 

fqpred  Iniyiii*::  a  good  novel;  that  it  was  almost  iinpussible  for 
her  to  fix  her  attention  on  a  religious  book.  I  urged  her  to 
purchase — strove  to  convince  her  of  the  evil  of  much  novel 
reading.  Whereupon  she  agreed  that  I  might  sell  some  hooks 
to  her  husband,  if  he  thought  }>roper  to  buy.  (Very  dutiful 
wife,  methought.)  So  I  called  on  her  husbaud  to  buy,  and 
sold  him  three  books,  including  Baxter's  Call." 

"  Having  only  eight  books  on  hand,  I  turued  my  face  home- 
wardsj  expecting  to  sell  them  by  the  way.  How  thankful  I 
ought  to  1)0  that  I  have  a  home.  How  many  are  destitute 
both  of  an  earthly  and  a  heavenly  place  of  rest.  I  profess  to 
liavc  both,  and  often  sin  by  attaching  more  consequence  to 
that  which  is  earthly  than  to  that  which  is  heavenly.  May 
my  heavenly  home  become  dearer,  the  nearer  I  come  to  it." 

After  reaching  home  he  wrote  as  follows : 

"]^fy  third  ex]>editiou  as  colporteur  has  ended,  and  I  have 
learned  that  tliere  is  far  more  sin  in  the  world  than  professing 
Christians  seevi  to  suppose.  I  see  clearl}''  that  I  enjoy  many 
advantages  for  which  I  am  not  thankful.  I  have  received  ten 
talents,  and  of  me  much  will  be  recpiired.  Lord,  bless  my 
feeble  efforts,  overrule  all  my  errors,  and  pardon  all  my  sins 
for  thine  own  glory.  Enable  me,  in  whatsoever  state  I  am, 
therewith  to  be  content.  I  have  not  yet  been  opposed  in  my 
work.  I  have  not  had  one  hard  word  spokeu  against  me  by 
an  enemy  of  God,  in  Avhich  I  might  glory  as  suffered  for 
Christ's  sake.  And  if  I  do  meet  with  this,  or  worse,  may  I 
not  complain,  but  rather  glory  in  suffering  for  that  Saviour 
who  suffered  so  much  for  me." 

Having  secured  a  fresh  supply  of  books  from  the  depository 
in  Lexington,  he  went  forth  again. 

A  visit  he  made  to  Rev.  Dr.  Ramsey,  now  of  Lynchburg, 
then  of  New  Monmouth,  is  chiefly  worthy  of  notice. 

He  says :  "  I  called  at  Rev.  Mr.  Ramsey's,  and  he  bought 
several  of  niy  books.  I  dined  witli  him,  and  although  I  had 
promised  Maj.  Hutton  to  return  and  spend  the  Sabbath  with 


SKETCHES.  19 

him,  I  concluded  to  remain  with  Mr.  Rcimsey,  in  the  hope  of 
learning  much  from  liim  wliich  may  be  useful  to  me  in  after 
life.  On  Sabbatli  afternoon  I  went  with  him  to  a  school-house, 
where  he  did  not  preach  a  sermon,  but  lectured  on  the  2d  chap, 
of  Ephesians.     The  three  topics  he  discussed  were : 

"  1.  The  condition  of  man  by  nature. 

"  2.  The  means  of  restoration  from  that  condition. 

"  3.  The  benefits  bestowed  on  those  thus  restored." 

After  a  full  analysis  of  tlie  wliole  lecture  he  adds :  "  This  is 
the  sort  of  preaching  I  like,  andVhich  must  be  most  useful. 
Trul}'  this  preacher's  heart  is  in  his  Master's  service.  "Would 
that  mine  were  more  so.  This  has  been  a  ver}^  pleasant  Sab- 
bath. How  could  it  be  otherwise,  spent  as  it  was  with  such  a 
man.     May  the  number  of  such  be  greatly  increased." 

This  sketch  of  Dr.  Ramsey's  lecture,  written  as  it  obviously 
was  in  great  haste,  with  a  bad  pencil,  and  extended  over 
several  pages  of  his  memorandum  bopk,  exhibits  uncommon 
maturity  of  mind  and  heart  in  a  boy  only  sixteen  years  of  age. 

One  entry,  quite  in  contrast  with  the  foregoing,  must  be 
noted  : 

"I  came  to  's  distillery.     After  knocking  sometime 

for  admittance,  and  being  refused,  threw  some  tracts  on  tem- 
perance through  the  window  and  left." 

The  concluding  sentence  in  his  book  is  this :  "  And  now  I 
have  scattered  the  books,  but  without  the  blessing  of  €rod  no 
good  will  result." 

He  frequently  notes  as  many  as  seventeen  or  eighteen  visits, 
and  once  as  many  as  twenty-three  in  one  day.  When  the 
ruggedncss  of  a  large  portion  of  Rockbridge  is  remembered, 
tliis  amount  of  labor  will  appear  great.  But  he  lost  no  time. 
He  wasted  no  words  in  a]iproaching  his  object.  But  a  cordial 
salutation — and  his  manner  was  very  cordial — would  be  fol- 
lowed at  once  by  an  announcement  of  his  business.  This 
being  accomplished,  lie  took  his  departure.  He  never  waited 
for  dinner,  liowcver  pressing  might  be  the  invitation  to  do  so. 
He  only  ate  if  lie  found  the  food  on  the  table  when  he  arrived. 


20  SKBTCHK8. 

Many  such  facts  as  these  were  subsequently  communicated  to 
liis  father  by  the  kind  iieo]>lo  among  whom  his  ''' paU-faced 
hoy^"'  as  one  good  old  lady  called  him,  labored  as  a  colporteur. 
Nothing  could  possibly  be  more  consolatory  to  the  heart  of  a 
father,  grieving  for  the  loss  of  a  loved  son,  than  such  testimo- 
nials of  the  esteem  in  which  that  son  was  held  by  the  people 
of  God,  May  their  kindness  to  him  be  rewarded  in  blessings 
n])on  their  own  children. 


CHAPTER    II 


niS    liKSIDENCE    LN    UKION. — CORRESPONDENCK. ESSAYS   FROM   SEP- 
TEMBER, 1858  TO  JUL"!?,  1859. — the  IQth  year  of  his  age. 

After  his  graduation  he  resolved  to  teach,  that  he  might  pro- 
vide for  himself  the  means  of  prosecuting  his  studies  for  the 
ministry.  For  this  ])urpose  he  secured  a  situation  as  principal 
of  a  clas^cal  school  in  Union,  the  county  seat  of  Monroe 
county,  Virginia.  He  was  received  and  treated  by  tiie  intelli- 
gent and  hosjtitable  ])eoj)le  of  that  village  with  a  cordiality 
whicli  J)ound  iiim  to  them  l)y  ties  of  the  warmest,  purest 
friendship.  To  the  hour  of  liis  death  he  delighted  to  speak  of 
tho  kind  friends  he  found,  and  the  happy  days  he  spent  in 
Union.  , 

He  commenced  his  school  September  6,  1858,  the  very  day 
on  which  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age. 

Soon  after  assuming  the  responsibilities  of  this  new  position, 
lie  wrote  to  a  friend  a\id  coUege^.classmate  as  follows : 

"  It  is  a  great  pleasure  to  spend  one's  Saturdays  in  Commun- 
ing with  absent  friends.  College  friendships  are  apt  to  be 
short  lived.  But  they  do  much  to  give  form  and  direction  to 
our  future  lives,  and  should  be  cherished  as  great  blessings, 


SKETCHES.  21 

when  tliey  have  been  such  as  were  formed  between  some  of 
our  class.  Our  friendship,  I  think,  was  based  upon  our  love 
for  the  Saviour,  and  hence,  if  we  arc  not  false  to  our  profession 
of  faith  in  Him,  we  shall  be  friends  forever.  Yes,  my  liope 
is  that  our  present  youthful  attachment  will  not  be  transitory, 
but  lasting  as  our  spirits  themselves. 

"As  to  my  income,  my  chief  concern  is  that  by  teaching  two 
years  I  niay,make  enough  to  defray  my  expenses  through  [the 
Theological  Seminary.  I  hope  to  be  there  in  two  years,  and 
how  liappy  I  should  be  if  I  could  meet  with  you  and  others 
of  our  class  in  that  school,  to  revive  the  scones — yet  more 
sacred — of  college  life.  Several  of  my  pupils  are  much  older 
and  larger  than  myself.  I  find  great  difficulty  in  tempering 
justice  with  mercy — in  being  firm  yet  kind.  It  is  liard  to 
stimulate  the  idle  and  restrain  the  vicious.  This  is  my  aim. 
How  far  I  fail  none  can  be  more  conscious  than  myself.  But 
every  one  has  to  learn  his  trade. 

" '  Experience  is  a  deai»  school,  but' — you  know  the  rest. 
Excuse  me  for  not  giving  you  advice  as  to  the  economizing  of 
your  time,  for  I  greatly  need  advice  from  others  on  that 
point." 

TO    THE   SAME. 

"  Your  letter  was  a  real  treat.  It  seemed  to  me  as  I  read 
that  you  were  talking  to  me.  How  delightful  are  these  free 
utterances  of  tlie  heart,  where  friend  opens  freely  to  friend  the 
inner  recesses  of  his  bosom.  When  this  freedom  of  friendship 
is  sanctified  by  true  religion,  its  purity,  intensity,  anH  sweet- 
ness are  increased  ten  fold.  When  our  love  for  each  other  is 
hallowed  by  our  love  for  Christ,  and  we- fire  enabled  to  see, 
admire,  and  love  His  image  in  each  other,  then  may  we  hope 
that  our  friendship  will  not  vanish  with  our  youth,  but  abide 
and  grow  forever. 

"  Rev,  John  Newton's  letters,  or  as  they  are  termed  Cardv- 
phonia.,  or  heart  utterances,  are  superior  to  anything  of  tlie 
kind  I  have  ever  read,  and  their  excellence  seems  to  result 


22  SKETCHES. 

from  Ill's  intimate  acquaintance  witli  his  own  heart  and  his 
freedom  in  cxpressini;  his  feeh'ngs. 

"Your  letter  breathed  a  spirit  in  the  hic^liest  dcfrree  c^ratifv- 
ing,  and  at  tlie  same  time  administered  a  gentle  rebuke  to  my 
own  sluggish  soul.  Though  at  times  doubts  and  fears  disturb 
my  spirit,  yet  this  is  sinful.  We  must  trust  in  the  Lord  and 
do  good,  ever  remembering  that  '  he  doeth  all  things  well.' 
Why  should  we  care  if  the  world  goes  ill  with  ^s,  provided 
only  God's  purposes  are  carried  out  and  his  glory  promoted  ? 

"  When  do  you  expect  to  go  to  the  Seminary,  or  is  it  your 
purpose  to  go  at  all  ?  I  feel  sure  that  the  leading  desire  of 
your  heart  is  to  see  the  glory  of  God  promoted  through  the 
advancement  of  the  Saviour's  kingdom  in  the  world.  Whether 
you  regard  the  ministry,  as  the  profession  by  which  these  great 
objects  can  be  the  most  fully  attained,  I  know  not.  If  you  do, 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  and  should  be  no  hesitation  in  yoitr 
mind,  as  to  the  course  to  be  taken.  Then  nuiy  you  see  the 
path  and  hear  the  command.  Go  forward.  It  would  be  a  great 
pleasure  to  spend  my  serninaiy  life  with  you  and  others  of  our 
class.  May  the  Spirit  of  God  unite  our  hearts  in  christian 
love,  ever  increasing,  till  we  meet  in  heaven  to  unite  tliere 
in  the  jjraiscs  of  our  adorable  Redeemer." 


TO   THE   SAME. 


"  It  is  Friday  night,  and  I  have  just  returned  from  our 
M'eekly  prayer  meeting,  and  the  service  has  inclined  me  to 
hold  communion  with  my  absent  friends.  My  spiritual  condi- 
tion for*several  days  past  has  been  one  of  gloom  and  heavi- 
ness. My  heart  has  been  dead  to  all  spiritual  things.  Prayer 
has  seemed  but  thePim willing  performance  of  a  required  diity, 
and  not  the  outgushing  of  a  penitent,  grateful  heart.  But  I 
doubt  not  the  light  of  Heaven  will  again  dawn.  Christ  will' 
not  utterly  forsake.  He  sometimes  seems  to  be  buried,  as  He 
was  to  the  disciples  after  His  crucifixion ;  but  He  arose  then 
from  the  tomb,  and  their  hearts  burned  within  them  as  He 
talked  with  them  by  the  way.    So,  I  trust,  He  will  rise  to  shed 


SKETCHES.  23 

light  and  joy  and  peace  upon  iny  path.     He  is  even  now  wait- 
ing to  be  gracious. 

'  0  lovely  attitude,  lie  stands 

With^nelting  heart  and  bleeding  hands.' 

« 

"  Let  doubts  then  be  banished,  and  let  our  faith  be  firm. 
lie  is  very  gracious.  Though  we  so  often  neglect  Ilim,  He  loves 
us  still,  and  will  love  us  to  the  end.  Though  all  else  forsake, 
He  is  our  refuge  now,  and  will  be  our  portion  forever." 

THE   WOUNDED   BOY. 

"  I  have  to-day  visited  the  bedside  of  one  of  my  scholars 
who  was  wounded  by  the  accidental  discliarge  of  a  rifle.  I 
had  reason  to  fear,  from  what  I  had  heard,  that  his  waund  was 
mortal,  and  on  entering  the  room  in  which  he  lay,  covered 
with  his  own  blood,  and  his  face  almost  deadly  pale,  I  thought 
I  had  come  to  see  him  die.  My  conscience,  faithful  monitor, 
instantly  rebuked  me  for  neglect  of  duty  in  not  having  striven 
as  I  ought  for  his  conversion  and  fitness  for  death.  My 
tlioughts  instinctively  turned  to  eternity.  What  if  that  -soul 
should  be  called  unprepared  into  the  presence  of  its  judge. 
O,  should  he  die,  how  terrible  the  fall.  Such  reflections  are 
'too  painful  forme.'  But  1  rejoiced  soon  .to  learn  that  my 
scholar's  life  was  really  not  in  much  danger.  The  command, 
to  all  appearance,  had  gone  forth,  '  Cut  it  down,  why  cumber- 
eth  it  the  ground.'  But  the  Saviour's  intercession,  '  Sj^are  it 
yet  a  little  longer,'  prevailed,  and  we  may  hope  that  the  angels 
of  God  may  yet  rejoice  over  this  soul  converted  from  sin  unto 
salvation. 

"  Such  a  dispensation  of  Providence  is  full  of  instruction. 
It  surely  admonishes  jiis  that  in  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in 
death.  I  would  have  my  soul  awake  to  this  truth,  both  with 
respect  to  myself  and  those  around  me.  Could  i  only  keep 
my  latter  end  in  view,  such  inconsistencies  of  conduct  would 
not  so  often  give  me  pain.  Then  I  might  be  more  holy,  and 
walk  all  the  day  long  in  the  fear  of  my  God.     Lord,  help  me 


Hi  SKETCHES. 

thus  to  live,  and  then  let  death  come  when  it  may,  It  cannot 
6ur])rise  me.  Then  wlicn  tliou  shalt  call  me  from  earthly 
scenes,  I  shall  be  prepared  tu  answer  thy  call,  and  enter  upon 
that  rest  which  Christ  both  purchased  andJ^estows." 

THOUGHTS   ON    PREPARATION   FOR   THE   MINISTRY. 

"  My  spirit  longs  to  be  engaged  in  tlie  duties  of  the  holy 
ministry.  Yet  its  responsibilities  fill  me  with  fear  lest  I  should 
enter  uj)on  the  work  unprepared,  and  so  bring  disgrat'e  upon 
a  cause  which,  if  my  heart  does  not  deceive  me,  I  desire  above 
all  tilings  to  promote.  There  is  something  of  mere  romance 
in  the  thought  of  being  instrumental  in  the  salvation  of  souls — 
of  being  engaged  as  an  instrument  in  the  conversion  of  the 
world.  The  'contemplation  of  the  perishing  condition  of  the 
heathen — of  a  perishing  world — may  move  one  to  tears.  He 
feels  that  it  would  be  sweet  to  offer  up  his  life,  if  need  be,  in 
so  glorious  a  cause.  These  feelings  are,  of  course,  pro])er  in 
themselves;  but  it  may  be  questioned  Avhether  they  are 
unattLMided  with  evil.  In  this  world-wide  philanthropy,  the 
individual  suffering  around  liim  may  be  forgotten ;  and  while 
he  weeps  over  the  perishing  heathen,  he  may  be  too  indifferent 
to  the  condition  of  the  souls  perishing  around  him. 

"  Here  I  find  great  danger.  All  romance  must  be  banished, 
as  well  as  all  self-reliance. 

"  The  work  of  the  ministry  must  be  considered  as  a  sober 
reality,  affecting  all  classes  of  people  everywhere.  Great 
ol>«tacles  are  to  be  mot  and  overcome  in  this  most  responsible 
and  laborious  as  well  as  honorable  profession.  In  view  of  all 
this  I  ask,  what  am  I  that  I  should  be  exalted  to  be  the  minis- 
ter of  God,  the  guide  of  Ilis  ])eople,  an  example  to  the  flock, 
and  a  standing  reproof  to  the  world  by  my  life  ?  Hence  in 
seeking  to  enter  on  this  work,  I  must  greatly  fear. 

"  While  my  mind  struggles  to  grasp  the  awful  truth  that  the 
M'hole  world  lieth  in  sin,  I  mast  strive  to  think  of  those  who 
are  perishing  abroad,  and  of  those  who  are  perishing  at  my 
side.     If  I  am  to  enter  the  ministry  from  right  motives,  I  must 


SKETCHES. 


25 


evince  it  by  laboring  for  those  now  around  me.  When  I 
remember  that  '  as  is  the  boy,  so  is  the  man,'  I  fear  lest  my  life 
should  be  a  blank— that  I  shall  fail  to  accomplish  tlie  end  of 
my  being.     Lord,  grant  that  this  may  not  be  my  unhappy 

case. 

"  Such  are  my  alternate  hopes  and  fears.  Yet  remembering 
tliat  such  fears  are  the  result  of  unbelief  in  the  promises  of 
God,  I  would  take  the  solemn  step  of  dedicating  myself  to 
thy  service,  O  Lord,  trusting  to  thy  promised  help.  It  is,;>I 
think,  the  ruling  desire  of  my  heart  to  prtach  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ  to  a  sinful  world.  That  this  is  the  path 
of  duty  seems  very  plain,  and  I  would  not  strive  with  my 
Maker  nor  oppose  His  will.  Since, j^rod  has  indicated  this  to 
be  His  will,  and  has  implanted  in  my  heart  such  a  desire  to 
preach  His  gospel,  though  countless  dangers  environ  my  path, 
and  in  myself  I  am  nothing  but  weakness  and  sin— relying 
upon  the  help  of  an  ever  present  God— I  would  now  devote 
myself  to  the ,  holy  ministry,  saying  as  I  do  so,  in  the  deep 
consciousness  of  my  own  weakness : 

♦  Here,  Lord,  I  give  myself  away, 
'Tis  all  that  I  can  do.'" 

The  spirit  here  displayed  characterized  his  whole  subsequent 
life.  From  the  hour  of  this  solemn  covenant  he  sought,  he 
labored,  he  rejoiced,  to  do  good. 

"  MOTHER. 

"  What  name  has  more  thrilling  associations  than  that  of 
mother  ?  From  her  we  learned  first  to  lisp  a  yet  dearer  name. 
By  her  watchful  care  were  we  kept  from  harm.  Through 
many  a  dark  night  she  watched  our  couch  with  tearful  eyes, 
and  without  weariness  she  was  swift  to  minister  to  every  want, 
and,  by  sweet  and  almost  insensible  influences  she  drew  us 
from  the  ways  of  sin  and  led  our  feet  into  paths  of  righteous- 
ness and  peace.  Before  our  minds  could  grasp  their  meaning, 
simple  formularies  were  ^xed  in  our  memories  which  should 
4 


26  SKETCHES. 

afterwards  prove  lights  to  guide  our  steps  aright.  Awake,  she 
tanght  us;  and  asleep,  her  form  iDcnt  over  us  while  in  prayer 
she  commended  us  to  God.  Those  secret  prayers  were  heard 
by  none  but  God.  Tliey  were  such  prayers  as  none  but  a 
mother  can  offer  or  God  can  hear.  When  ministering  angels 
hovered  over  us  during  the  unconscious  moments  of  sleep,  the 
ministrations  of  our  mothers  have  been  mingled  with  theirs. 

"  And  are  these  prayers  lost  because  not  known  to  men  ? 
No,  they  are  preserv^ed,  and  so  surely  as  God  is  '  the  God  of 
the  Covenant,'  so  surely  are  we  now  the  recipients  of  the 
blessings  they  sought  in  our  behalf. 

"  And  then  they  led  ns  morning  and  evening  to  the  family 
altar,  and  taught  our  infant  lips  to  lisp  the  name  of  'Our 
Father,  which  art  in  Heaven.' 

"  And  when  the  first  fruits  of  this  untiring  vigilance  ap- 
peared, how  gladly  did  they  clasp  their  new  born  children  in 
their  arms,  and  praise  the  Lord  who  had  heard  their  prayers. 

"  And  if  the  influences  of  domestic  piety  are  resisted,  until 
without  a  mother's  instruction  and  a  father's  guiding  hand  the 
son  must  go  forth  to  enter  alone  upon  the  duties  of  life,  who 
can  estimate  the  influence,  though  nnseen,  that  a  mother's 
instruction  and  example  still  exert.  She  follows  him  through 
the  course  of  every  day,  and  in  every  temptation  her  prayers 
surround  him  like  a  shield.  These  prayers  attend  the  sailor 
boy  through  the  trackless  sea  and  move  her  God  to  command 
the  waves  to  be  still,  and  the  tempest  becomes  a  calm.  The 
son's  lips  refuse  to  utter  the  name  of  his  Maker  profanely, 
because  he  remembers  that  it  is  the  name  of  his  mother's  God. 
Her  bright  example  too,  though  not  now  seen,  is  remembered, 
and  by  it 

'  She  allures  to  brighter  worlds  and  leads  the  way.' 

And  if  that  mother  dies  before  her  son  has  learned  to  call  her 
Saviour  '  my  Lord  and  my  God,'  he  is  not  left  alone.  A  ten- 
derer heart  even  than  a  mother's  loves  him,  and  an  almighty 
arm  is  engaged  in  his  support. 


SKETCHES.  27 

"  Thougli  lie  may  wander  far  from  the  way  pointed  out  by 
liis  motlier,  tliougli  lie  may  fall  into  excess  of  dissipation  and 
riot,  his  case  is  not  hopeless.  A  covenant-keeping  God  will 
not  forget  the  prayers  of  his  people.  How  many  witnesses  are 
there  to  this  in  the  history  of  the  Church.  And  how  many 
now  live  who  can  testify  that  had  not  the  gentle  hand  of  a 
mother  restrained  and  guided,  while  her  lips  instructed  and 
her  heart  prayed  for  them,  they  might  now  be  stumbling  on 
the  dark  mountains  of  sin,  on  the  broad  road  to  an  eternal 
hell."  ♦ 

His  early  and  sudden  death  gives  importance  and  even 
sacredness  to  the  thoughts  embodied  in  the  following  fragment 
found  among  his  papers.  And  as  a  beautiful  foreshadowing  of 
his  present  exalted  and  happy  state  it  is  inserted. 


HEAVEN. 


"It  is  a  sad  proof  of  the  total  depravitj^  of  our  race  by 
nature,  that  we  think  of  Heaven  with  so  much  insensibility. 
In  fact  the  natural  man  sees  nothing  beautiful  in  it.  Its  pearly 
gates  and  golden  streets,  its  holiness  and  its  happiness,  pos- 
sess no  attractions,  and  they  are  readily  dismissed  as  subjects 
of  thought  for  things  secular  and  perishable.  A  Avicked  heart 
and  wicked  world  are  so  adapted  to  each  other  that  the  latter 
attracts  the  former  as  the  loadstone  attracts  the  needle. 

"The  christian  too,  though  'born  again,'  often  bemoans  the 
dullness  with  which  he  contemplates  the  high  truths  of  his 
religion.  At  times  he  may  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  glories  in 
store  for  him,  and  his  spirit  exults  as  he  turns  from  the  sins 
and  sorrows  on  earth  to  the  purity  and  bliss  of  Heaven.  But 
these  times  are  brief  as  they  are  precious.  For  one  such 
thrill  of  joy  there  are  many  days  of  sorrow.  But  even  a  half 
hour  of  intimate  communion  with  heavenly  objects  is  cher- 
ished in  the  memory  as  an  unusual  and  highly  prized  favor. 
This  disproportion  between  the  christian's  times  o'f  joy  and  of 
sorrow,  results  in  part  from  his  not  wisely  using  the  means 


28  SKETCHES. 

W'itliin  Ills  roach  of  rising,  as  it  were,  upon  the  wings  of  faith, 
and  looking  into  the  upper  sanctuary.  If  we  would  only  close 
our  eyes  upon  the  objects  of  sin,  and  seek  by  faith  in  what 
God  has  taught  us,  to  join  the  assembly  of  the  redeemed  in 
Heaven,  many  moments  now  spent  in  dullness,  or  actual  grief, 
would  become  times  of  highest,  purest  joy.  Sounds  seraphic 
would  fill  our  ears,  and  the  joy  of  communion  with  our 
Saviour  now,  and  the  anticipation  of  the  time  when  faith  shall 
be  exchanged  for  sight,  and  hope  for  fruition,  would  fill  our 
hearts  with  holy  rapture.  Nothing  endears  a  friend  to  us  so 
much  as  to  cherish  the  remembrance  of  him,  though  absent, 
and  often  to  hold  intercourse  with  him  in  thought.  Nothing 
makes  us  so  anxious  to  revisit  the  home  from  which  we  have 
been  separated,  as  to  think  of  those  who  compose  the  family 
circle,  and  of  the  jo^ys  which  abound  there.  Nor  will  an}'- 
thing  so  excite  our  desire  for  Heaven,  or  our  joy  in  expecta- 
tion of  soon  partaking  of  its  bliss,  as  to  become  familiar,  in  a 
manner,  with  its  scenes.  The  thought  that  we  shall  very  soon 
belong  to  that  number  who  surround  the  throne  of  God  in 
Heaven,  washed  from  all  our  sins  and  clothed  in  the  pure  robe 
of  Christ's  righteousness,  singing  without  weariness  songs  of 
praise  to  the  Lamb  forever,  should  excite  the  highest  rapture 
of  which  the  soul  is  now  capable.  Jesus  is  there,  and  we  shall 
'  see  him  as  he  is.'  Friends  whom  we  loved  most  tenderly,  and 
who  have  preceded  us,  are  there.  Christ  has  carried  them 
safely  through  '  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,'  and  they 
are  now  safe  and  happy  in  the  arms  of  Ilim  above,  whom  we 
now  love  and  seek  to  serve  on  earth.  Never  do  we  enjoy, 
even  for  a  moment,  fellowship  with  that  Saviour  and  feel  our 
hearts  burn  within  us,  as  he  talks  to  us  by  the  way,  that  we 
do  not  come  sensi1)ly  nearer  to  tluim.  The  same  Jesus  whom 
they  are  praising  in  sweet  strains  of  heavenly  music  is  carry- 
ing us  every  day  through  the  snares  that  beset  our  way. 
Their  hearts,  which  once  beat  with  warm  love  for  us  here,  have 
ceased  to  beat  on  earth,  and  hence  we  mourn.  But  those 
spirits,  now  freed  from  all  the  trammels  of  sense  and  sin,  shall 


SKETCHES.  29 

never  cease  to  beat  with  love  and  joy  at  tlie  bare  mention  of 
tlie  Saviour's  name.  Soon  too — Ucaven-born  thought — we 
shall  join  them.  Satan  shall  not  always  be  permitted  to  tempt 
lis,  nor  sin  forever  to  disturb  our  peace.  It  now  lies  like  a 
heavy  burden,  or  as  a  chain  of  steel  it  binds  us  to  tliis  perish- 
able earth.  But  the  same  Jesus  who  '  came  to  preach  liberty 
to  the  captives,'  shall  proclaim  liberty  to  our  fettered  souls, 
and  we  shall  be  borne  by  angels  to  the  bosom  of  our  God  and 
Saviour.  And  it  has  often  seemed  to  me  one  of  the  sweetest 
thoughts  in  contemplating  the  joy  of  the  christian  in  glory, 
that  never  for  a  moment  shall  he  become  weary.  Here  we 
rejoice  for  a  short  time  in  a  sense  of  forgiveness,  and  tlien  sink 
under  a  sense  of  sin.  But  there  the  very  name  of  sin,  as  well 
#,s  its  nature,  will  be  forgotten,  and  without  even  an  effort  we 
shall  both  serve  God  and  enjoy  Him  forever.  As  tliere  will 
.be  no  weariness,  and  of  course  no  need  of  rest,  '  there  shall  be 
no  night  there,'  but  '  sacred,  high,  eternal  noon.'  There  can 
be  no  sorrow  there,  for  Christ's  own  lia'nd  shall  wipe  all  tears 
away.  In  a  word,  every  element  of  the  purest  happiness  now 
known  shall  be  there  immeasurably  increased,  and,  made  as 
enduring  as  the  throne  of  God,  sliall  be  enjoyed  forever." 

In  committing  such  thoughts  to  paper  he  was  accustomed  to 
spend  a  portion  of  each  day  when  not  occupied  witli  the 
duties  of  his  school.  His  friends  are  thus  furnished  with  an 
ample  explanation  of  his  habitual  serenity  and  even  joyous- 
iiess.  Few  have  ever  enjoyed  so  uninterrupted  a  flow  of 
pleasurable  emotions.  Never  frivolous,  but  always  cheerful. 
Or-^f  ever  sad,  it  was  only  during  one  of  those  brief  seasons  of* 
spiritual  depression  to  which  he  sometimes  alludes. 

During  his  residence  as  a  teacher  in  Monroe  he  wrote  to  his 
friend  and  classmate  thus : 

"  Union,  March  19,  1859. 

"Dear  R.:  This  is  Saturday  and  I  know  you  are  glad.     'Re- 
joice with  them  that  do  rejoice.'     1  am  glad  of  course,  though 


30  SKETCHES. 

the  busy  employment  of  the  week  seems  to  make  the  tune  roll 
by  so  rapiilly  that  I  do  not  rejoice  at  the  approacli  of  this 
holiday  as  formerly.  Monday  morning  and  Friday  afternoon 
seem  nearer  to  each  other  now  than  ever  before.  Vexations 
will  arise,  but  there  is  nothing  like  keeping  one's  self  cool.  If 
fretfulness  get  the  control,  peace  and  happiness  are  fled  for- 
ever. We  must  learn  to  control  ourselves  before  we  can  hope 
to  control  others.  I  certainly  would  not  teach  now  if  it  were 
not  necessary.  There  is  a  higher  end  which  can  only  be  at- 
tained by  working  now  to  procure  the  necessary  means.  The 
ministry,  by  God's  help,  is  to  be  my  profession  for  life,  and  if 
I  am  now  M'orking  to  get  into  it,  this  is  but  child's  play  com- 
pared with  the  ceaseless  watchings  and  prayers,  the  ever 
active  vigilance  for  God,  the  Cliurch,  and  the  souls  of  men,  foi^ 
which  that  sacred  profession  calls. 

"  The  vast  responsibilities  of  this  oflice  seem  to  frighten  you 
and  prevent  your  attempting  them.  Think  of  these  two 
passages :  '  My  yoke  ds  easy  and  my  burden  liglit ; '  '  Lo,  I 
am  with  you  always,  even  to  the  end  of  the  world.'  Tliese 
passages  seem  connected  together  as  cause  and  effect.  The 
truth  of  the  former  seems  to  flow  directl}'  from  that  in  the 
latter.  "Without  these  promises  none  could  preach,  but  with 
them  the  weakest  may. 

"I  received  a  long  letter  from  D.  B.  lately.  He  must  have 
an  uncommonly  good  set  of  boys  to  manage,  as  he  never  says 
anything  about  their  misbehavior.  He  will  preach,  I  think. 
He  manifests  a  willing  mind,  and  a  desire  to  go  and  do  what 
God  bids.  S.  S.  says  he  hasn't  brains,  and  writes  bitter  things 
*  against  himself.  He  has  been  trying  to  make  sermons.  He 
takes  a  text,  and  studies  to  divide  it  into  heads,  but  can  majce 
neither  Uead  nor  tail  of  it,  and  very  illogically  concludes  that 
he  never  will  be  able  to  preach.  If  all  reasoned  thus  there 
would  be  a  far  greater  scarcity  of  preachers  than  there  is  now. 
None  of  us  ever  can  preach  of  ourselves,  but  God  can  preach 
through  us.  Tlie  trumpet  may  lie  for  ages  without  giving 
forth  the  slightest  sound,  but  the  trumpeter  can,  Mnth  it,  rouse 


SKETCHES.  31 

to  action  sleeping  millions.  So  God  can,  through  us,  wake  to 
life  multitudes  now  spiritually  dead,  or,  as  the  good  old  Afri- 
can preaclier  said,  '  God  can  strike  a  straight  blow  witli  a 
crooked  stick.' " 

TO   THE    SAME. 

"  I  wrote  you  a  short  letter  this  morning,  but  feel  as  if  I  had 
not  said  all  I  wished.  Last  Sabbath,  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  was  observed  in  our  church  at  home,  and  it  was 
my  endeavor — yea,  my  joy,  though  far  away — to  participate 
in  that  feast,  by  seeking  more  intimate  communion,  in  spirit, 
both  with  them  and  with  God.  The  occasion,  as  the  third 
anniversary  of  my  connection  witli  the  church,  was  %vell  cal- 
culated to  move  the  hardest  heart.  But,  strange  to  say,  though 
our  pastor,  the  Kev.'  Mr.  Houston,  preached  an  excellent  ser- 
mon, dullness  of  spirit  oppressed  me  through  the  day.  So 
God  willed,  and  instead  of  pouring  out  my  heart  in  lively 
gratitude  and  heartfelt  repentance,  I  S])ent  the  day  far  from 
God,  mourning  over  the  depravity  of  my  heart  and  the  utter 
helplessness  and  wretchedness  of  my  condition,  and  I  trembled 
lest  my  soul  should  yet  be  lost.  My  sins  seemed  to  grow 
heavier  and  heavier,  and  my  heart  harder  and  harder,  until  I 
sunk  upon  my  knees,  when  my  heart  "seemed  to  melt.  Christ 
was  with  me.  He  was  revealed  as  my  Saviour.  He  took  my 
load  of  guilt,  ^and  now  instead  of  despair,  hope  cheered  my 
drooping  spirit.     I  could  heartily  sing 

'  But  while  I  thus  in  anguish  lay, 
The  gracious  Saviour  passed  this  way, 
And  felt  hia  pity  move.' 

He  heard  my  cry  and  helped  me.  I  wept  for  joy.  He  was 
surely  revealed  to  me  that  night  as  precious.  It  is  a  time  long 
to  be  remembered.  And  yet  such  is  the  depravity  of  this 
nature,  that  if  God  does  not  sustain  me  I  shall  speedilj'  fall 
into  sin  again.  When  shall  wc  be  free  from  the  body  of  this 
death  ?    It  seemed  to  me  that  Sabbath  night,  while  I  lay 


32  8KETCHE8. 

weeping  before  God,  if  tliere  was  anything  hateful  to  me  in 
all  the  world,  it  was  sin.  But  liow  often  since  have  I  sinned. 
And  if  it  were  not  for  the  grace  of  God  I  should  plunge  into 
the  greatest  and  vilest  of  sins. 

'  You  who  love  the  Lord,  indeed, 
Tell  me,  is  it  so  with  you  ? ' 

I  sometimes  feel  when  I  lie  down  upon  my  bed,  and  God 
grants  me  a  lively  hope  of  acceptance  with  him,  how  sweet  it 
would  be  then  to  breathe  out  my  soul  into  the  arms  of  my 
Saviour,  and  pass  immediately  frt)m  the  sins  and  sorrows  of 
this  life  to  the  holiness  and  glory  of  the  next.  I  then  seem  to 
court  death.  These  are  precious  moments.  Yet  patience 
must  have  its  perfect  work.  When  God  calls,  I  hope  to  go 
rejoicing.     Until  he  calls,  I  await  patiently  his  coming. 

"This  letter  is  taken  up  entirely  about  myself.  I  wish  it 
were  not.  Pride  will  mingle  with  our  thoughts,  though  they 
be  about  our  sins.  Yerily  our  whole  nature  is  corrupt.  But 
'  the  blood  of  Christ  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin.'  It  is  getting 
late  and  I  must  close.  May  God  guide  us  by  his  counsel,  and 
afterwards  receive  us  both  to  glory,  is  ever  the  prayer  of 

Your  friend, 

HUGH  A.  WHITE." 


CHAPTER  III. 


AT  HOME  AND  IN  THE  SEMINARY FKOM  JULY,  1859,  TO  MAY,  1861. 

When  he  went  to  Union,  he  expected  to  teach  two  years, 
and  such  had  been  his  success  as  a  teacher  when  the  first  year 
ended,  that  he  was  urged  to  remain,  and  flattering  proposals 
were  made  to  him  at  other  places.  But  his  father  had  made  ar- 
rangements by  which  the  necessity  for  his  teaching  longer  was 


SKETCHES.  33 

removed,  and  the  \va^  opened  for  his  going,  at  once,  to  the 
Seminary.  He  accordingly  came  home,  determined  to  spend 
the  two  months  which  intervened  before  the  commencement 
of  the  next  term,  in  preparation  for  a  step  which  to  him  seemed 
so  solemn  and  so  sacred.  Ile^entered  afresh  into  the  considera- 
tion of  a  call  to  the  ministry.  On  this  subject  he  read,  and 
thought,  and  prayed.     During  this  period  he  wrote  as  follows": 

"Home,  July  18,  18591 

"  It  is  now  my  purpose  to  enter,  next  September,  upon  a 
course  of  preparation  for  the  ministry.  I  have  formed  thia 
purpose  after  much  reflection  and  praj^er.  It  is  therefore 
proper,  and  may  be  profitable,  to  spend  a  day  in  formally 
dedicating  myself  to  this  work.  This  I  now  attempt  to  do, 
and  also  record  the  reasons  which  impel  me  to  take  a  step  so 
solemn  and  so  responsible." 

These  reasons  he  then  records  at  great  length.  But  as  most 
or  all  of  them  occur  in  his  letters,  they  are  omitted  here.  He 
then  concludes  as  follows — in  a  measure,  summing  up  the 
whole : 

"The  sum  of  the  matter,  with  me,  is  this.  Tlie  Lord  is  my 
God.  My  duty  to  Him  is  superior  to  every  other  duty.  The 
promotion  of  his  glory  is  the  chief  end  of  my  being.  If  I 
know  my  own  heart,  my  ruling  desire  is  to  spend  my  life  in 
that  way  which  will  most  effectually  attain  this  end.  For 
years  past  the  ministry  has  appeared  to  be  that  way.  I  cannot 
doubt  that  the  Spirit  of  God,  applying  the  word  of  God  to  my 
heart  and  conscience,  indicates  this  to  be  the  divine  will  con- 
cerning me. 

"Tlie  more  I  reflect  upon  the  duties  required,  and  my  own 
utter  inability  to  discharge  those  duties  aright,  the  more  over- 
whelming does  the  work  appear.  I  can  only  give  myself  to 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  relying  wholly  on  his  promise,  '  Lo !  I 
am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.' 

"  In  obedience,  therefore,  to  the  command,  and  iu  reliance 
upon  the  promise  of  God,  I  go  forward,  praying  that  he  would 
5 


34  SKETCHES. 

use  me,  as  the  instrument  in  his  hands,  for  the  salvation  of,  at 
least,  one  sonl. 

"  And  now,  O  God,  thou  great  Lawgiver  and  Ruler  of  the 
world,  and  especially  of  thy  people,  receive  me  as  an  humble 
candidate  for  the  holy  office  of  Minister  of  the  Gospel.  Make 
and  keep  my  heart  pure,  and  help  me  to  labor  faithfully  in 
thy  vineyard,  so  that  at  thy  coining  thou  mayst  '  receive 
thine  own  with  usury.'  I  do  here,  before  tliee,  record  it  as 
m/ purpose  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Do  thou,  O  Lord,  place 
the  seal  of  thy  approbation  upon  my  heart,  for  Christ's  sake, 
and  to  thy  name  be  all  the  glory,  forever.     Amen." 

On  the  1st  of  September,  1859,  he  set  out,  accompanied  by 
his  brother  Henry,  for  the  Seminary.  As  the  stage  coach 
moved  from  the  front  door  of  the  parsonage,  the  feelings  of  the 
mother  could  not  be  restrained.  Through  her  tears  she  looked 
after  that  coach  as  long  as  it  could  be  seen.  Then  turning,  she 
walked  calmly  to  her  chamber,  and  said,  "  This  is  the  hap- 
piest hour  of  my  life.^^ 

Of  the  many  letters  which  he  wrote  to  his  family  and 
friends  during  his  life  in  the  Seminary,  a  few  onl}^  are 
selected,  and  chiefly  tliose  written  to  a  classmate  and  friend, 
who  was  then  undecided  as  to  a  profession. 

To  this  friend  he  wrote  from  the  Seminary,  September  12, 
1859: 

"  There  were  twelve  in  our  company  from  Lynchburg — all 
Washington  College  boys — making  one-third  of  all  who  have 
yet  arrived.  We  liad,  of  course,  a  very  pleasant  trip,  and  are 
all  delighted  witli  the  Seminary,  Faculty,  students  and  all.  I 
need  not  speak  much  of  them,  as  you  know  them  pretty  well, 
and  will  know  them  better  in  the  course  of  a  year. 

"  The  indecision  you  speak  of,  results  in  part  from  looking  too 
much  within  and  too  little  without  yourself.  Look  less  at 
yourself  and  more  at  that  Saviour,  '  who  loved  us  and  gave 
Himself  for  us.'    Hope  sprfngs,  not  from  our  love  to  Him, 


SKETCHES.  35 

but  from  His  love  to  us — for  we  only  '  love  him  because  he 
first  loved  us,  and  gave  himself  a  propitiation  for  our  sins.' 
Let  us  trust  in  him,  and  then  w6  may  put  on  '  the  garment  of 
praise  for  the  spirit  of  heaviness.'  A  knowledge  of  your  con- 
tinued indecision,  and  a  strong  desire  to  see  you  here  next  ses- 
sion as  a  fellow-student  of  Theology,  shall  stimulate  me  to 
greater  earnestness  in  prayer  for  you." 

TO   THE   SiftlE. 

"Here  everything  emanates  from  and  returns  to  the  Bible. 
If  we  are  not  directly  engaged  in  studying  its  sacred  pages, 
we  are  pursuing  some  course  which  leads  directly  to  that.  I 
spend  nearly  every  hour  in  my  room,  when  not  at  meals  or 
recitations,  and  find  enough  to  make  that  the  most  pleasant 
place  to  me.  Your  letters  do  me  good.  They  come  from  your 
heart  and  go  to  mine. 

"  I  enter  into  your  feelings  in  view  of  the  ministry,  only  I 
do  not  struggle  with  perplexing  doubts  as  you  do.  The  same- 
ness of  each  day's  life  here  almost  puts  me  to  sleep  at  times. 
The  constant  routine  of  duties  and  privileges,  seems  to  pass  so 
quietly  and  regularly,  that  like  the  winds,  I  can  scarcely  tell 
whence  they  come  and  whither  they  go.  No  visible  trace  is 
left,  unless  it  be  a  deadening  of  the  spirit,  so  that  I  read,  and 
hear,  and  pray  in  vain.  I  am  borne  along  upon  the  current 
which  is  to  bear  us  all  into  the  ministry,  but  unless  I  am  better 
prepared,  than  I  often  fear  I  shall  ever  be,  I  shall  pass  into 
that  stormy  sea,  in  which  that  current  empties  itself,  as  helpless 
as  a  child,  and  wholly  unfitted  to  contend  successfully  with  its 
waves. 

"Engrossed  with  each  subject  as  it  comes  up  in  the  course 
of  my  studies,  the  souls  of  men  are  forgotten.  To  draw  back 
is  impossible — to  go  forward  I  am  afraid.  But  if  the  work  in 
its  vastness  appears,  if  the  fields  white  for  the  harvest  are 
seen,  if  I  realize  that  souls  are  falling  into  hell  because  no 
voice  is  uttered  to  warn  them  of  their  danger,  then  I  cry,  '  Wo 
is  me  if  I  preach  not  the  gospel.' 


36  SKETCHES. 

"  If  Christ  be  ■with  us  it  will  be  a  glorious  work.  Angels 
might  desire  to  take  part  in  it.  Yet  the  true  source  of  sadness 
is  that  pride,  vanity,  love  of  the  praise  of  men,  may  usurp 
Christ's  place  in  the  heart.  Then  the  words  of  eternal  truth 
will  fall  from  our  lips  unfelt  by  ourselves  or  our  hearers.  And 
how  can  we  teach  others  when  we  ourselves  'need  to  be 
taught  what  be  the  first  principles  of  the  oracles  of  God'? 
How  can  we  exhort  men  -to  repentance  when  our  own  is  so 
shallow?  How  can  we  point  otliers  to  Christ  when,  by  reason 
of  the  darkness  that  is  in  us,  we  cannot  see  him  ourselves? 
How  can  we  warn  men  of  their  danger,  or  allure  them  to 
brighter  worlds  above,  when  there  is  no  fear  of  the  one  nor 
well  grounded  hope  of  the  other,  in  our  own  hearts?  These 
thouglits  make  me  afraid  to  preach.  But  such  difficulties 
must  be  resisted  and  overcome.  By  the  help  of  God  we  may 
conquer. 

"I  rejoice  to  think  that  your  purpose  is  now  formed  to  be 
with  us  here  next  session.  May  God  strengthen  you  for  the 
great  work.  Let  us  pray  for  each  other  more  earnestly.  '  God 
is  our  help.' " 

to  ins  sister,  mrs.  dr.  wade,  of  giiristiansburg. 

"  Union  Theological  Seminary, 
September  27,  1860. 

"  Dear  Si8ti<:r  :  My  time  is  now  fully  occupied,  so  that  I 
liave  no  idle  time  in  which  to  fold  my  arms  and  thus  become 
melancholy.  Nothing  is  better  for  the  spirits  than  constant 
activity.  I  am  therefore  glad  that  there  is  always  some  work 
before  me  necessary  to  be  done.  My  studies  are  more  inte- 
resting this  year  than  they  were  the  last,  and  my  associates  are 
all  that  I  could  wish.  D.  B.  is  one  of  them,  and  his  presence 
makes  me  teel  more  at  home.  I  visit  but  seldom.  AVith 
thirty-four  such  associates  in  the  same  building,  I  feel  very 
little  concern  for  other  society. 

"Although  we  are  comparatively  few  in  number,  our  faith 
is  strong,  that  the  prayers  and  efforts  of  the  Church  will  be 


SKETCHES.  37 

abundantly  rewarded  by  a  mucli  lar2:er  number  of  ministers. 
I  suppose  that  II.  and  his  bride  have  visited  you  before  this. 
I  parted  with  them  at  Lynchburg;,  and  have  since  received  a 
note  from  liim.  I  would  like  to  hear  all  about  them.  You 
liave,  of  course,  had  full  accounts  from  home  of  the  wedding. 
I  certainly  wish  them  all  tlie  joy  which  they  have  good  reason 
to  anticipate. 

"  Father  gave  me  the  good  news  in  his  last  letter  that  you 
and  your  children  were  getting  well  of  your  sickness.  The 
weather  has  been  so  bad  of  late  that  I  do  not  wonder  at  the 
prevalence  of  sickness. 

"  I  hear  from  father  very  often.  lie  seems  to  be  getting 
lonesome,  and  as  he  doubtless  loves  all  of  us  alike,  must  write 
to  the  otliers  as  often  as  he  does  to  me.  If  so,  he  writes  to  one 
of  his  children  almost  every  day.  I  will  try  and  not  let  him 
do  better  than  myself  in  this  respect,  and  will  always  reply  to 
his  letters  promptly.  If,  as  it  has  been  said  of  liim,  he  lives 
in  his  children,  it  can  certainly  be  said  of  us  that  we  live  in 
him. 

"  I  received  a  letter  from  Harriet  recently.  She  seems  to 
be  in  good  spirits.  I  hope  she  may  continue  so,  and  seek  to 
cheer  father  and  mother  as,  hand  in  hand,  they  go  down  the 
hill  of  life." 

TO   THE   SAME. 

"  A  recitation  in  Hebrew  is  suspended  this  afternoon,  and  I 
will  spend  the  time  tlius  obtained  in  writing  to  you.  Every 
bright  day  like  this  makes  me  wish  to  be  at  home  or  with  you. 
I  know  tliat  these  wishes  cannot  be  realized,  nor,  if  they  could, 
would  they  l)ring  the  pleasure  we  expect.  A  cheerful  heart 
is  not  much  dependent  on  outward  circumstances,  neither  is  a 
gloomy  heart.  The  one  will  be  cheerful  in  spite  of  clouds, 
and  the  other  will  be  sad  thougli  the  sun  shines  briglitly  and 
all  the  world  smiles.  I  strive,  therefore,  to  be  cheerful  at  all 
times.  Nature  is  beginning  to  put  on  a  new  dress.  The  grass 
is  beginning  to  spring,  and  in  the  morning  we  are  reminded 


38  SKETCkES. 

that  '  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  has  come.'  Our  Semi- 
nary yard  will  soon  be  beaiitiful  with  the  foliage  of  .Spring, 
and  the  mocking-bird  will  soon  be  here  to  break  mj  morning 
slumbers.  The  very  expectation  of  these  things  cheers  the 
spirit.  And  then  I  shall  soon  see  those  I  love  so  dearly  at 
home.  Shall  I  not  see  you  and  yours  at  Lexington  this  sum- 
mer? I  sincerely  hope  so.  Surely  you  will  send,  if  you 
cannot  bring,  some  of  the  little  ones.  Tell  them  I  will  run  in 
the  fields,  catch  fish,  or  gather  flowers  with  them,  as  they  may 
like  best. 

"  Tlie  coming  vacation  will  be  my  last.  If  I  live  a  year 
from  this  time  my  life  will  really  begin.  It  seems  to  me  that 
if  this  were  my  last  session,  and  the  time  for  entering  the 
ministry  were  only  a  month  or  two  distant,  I  should  approach 
it  with  reluctance.  Tlie  trials  of  anticipation  are  trifling  com- 
pared with  the  reality.  Yet  I  see  enough  now  to  make  me 
tremble.  Perhaps  this  feeling  is  wron^and  joy,  in  anticipa- 
tion of  preaching,  should  take  its  place.  I  hope  this  will  be 
my  experience  when  the  time  comes.  Yet  it  can  only  spring 
from  an  entire  dependence  on  God.  I  hope  that  you  and  my 
friends  do  not  forget  me  when  you  pray,  for  without  a  larger 
portion  of  the  Spirit  my  ministr}'^  will  be  barren  and  unfruit- 
ful. Let  me  hear  from  you  again  soon,  for  now,  more  than 
ever,  my  thoughts  are  with  absent  loved  ones." 

At  the  close  of  his  first  session  in  the  Seminary,  in  May, 
1860,  he  wrote  thus  to  a  friend  : 

"The  examinations  are  now  over.  They  closed  on  Saturday 
evening,  after  continuing  three  days.  It  is  now  Monday  morn- 
ing. The  quiet  rest  of  the  Sabbath  has  intervened  between 
th6  past  session,  with  all  its  varied  scenes,  and  the  happy  light 
of  this  morning,  and  if  any  one  in  the  world  ought  to  be  happy 
I  am  that  person.  For  eight  months  past  scarce  a  ripple  has 
passed  over  the  smooth  surface  of  my  life.  Health  has  been 
preserved,  .so  that  I  am  not  worn  out  by  study,  though  I  have 
worked  pretty  hard.    The  future  spreads  out  before  me  many 


SKETCHES.  39 

bright  hopes  to  cheer  me  on,  and  especially  does  the  home  in 
Heaven,  all  bright  with  the  glory  of  the  Father,  and  of  '  the 
Lamb  who  is  the  liglit  thereof,'  cast  a  stream  of  light  over  the 
brief  period  which  separates  me  from  the  enjoyment  of  that 
bliss." 

To  the  same  friend  lie  says:  "If  a  sense  of  sin  be  a  just 
excuse  for  not  preparing  for  the  ministry,  as  some  seem  to 
think,  then  I  ought  to  be  anywliere  else  but  in  the  Seminary. 
Yet  I  feel  quite  confident  that  this  is  the  place  for  me.  God 
and  my  own  conscience  tell  me  so,  I  think.  I  am  no  advo- 
cate for  rusliing  ahead,  regardless  of  the  motives  that  influence 
us.  Pains  must  be  taken  to  ascertain  whether  love  to  God 
and  love  to  souls  move  us  to  the  work.  If  love  of  self  some- 
times springs  up  in  the  heart,  what  then  ?  Why,  gnash  upon 
it,  fight  against  it,  pray  against  it,  and  faint  not  in  prayer. 
And  when  any  bad  motive  is  found  lurking  in  the  heart,  only 
feel  as  you  would  if,  on  putting  your  hand  into  your  pocket, 
you  should  find  a  viper  nestling  there.  If  the  discovery  of 
bad  motives  thus  aflfects  you,  their  presence  furnislies  no  good 
excuse  for  remaining  out  of  the  ministry. 

"  You  complain  of  doubts  as  to  your  personal  piety.  I 
would  aslv,  do  you  find  repugnance  in  your  heart  to  all  sin  ? 
Can  3^ou  say,  '  It  is  the  abominable  thing  I  hate '  ?  And  if  you 
can  look  upon  sin  with  indiflterence,  docs  that  indifi'erence  dis- 
tress you,  and  lead  you  to  say,  '  Foj*  this  indifi'erence  I  abhor 
myself?  The  impenitent  sinner  is  easy  in  liis  callousness. 
"When  he  succeeds  in  silencing  conscience,  as  he  may  do,  he 
enjoys  what  ho  calls  peace.     But  it  is  the  calm  of  death. 

"  On  the  other  hand,  the  true  christian  mourns  over  his 
insensibility.  When  not  blessed  with  a  sense  of  God's  pres- 
ence and  love,  if  he  mourns  even  more  than  he  does  for  the 
absence  of  his  best  and  dearest  earthly  friend,  lie  gives  the 
strongest  proof  that  God  is  his  chief  joy.  I  really  do  believe 
that  you  are  sincerely  anxious  to  serve  God  in  the  way  most 
pleasing  to  him,  and  hence  I  feel  the  utmost  confidence  that 
he  will  lead  you  in  the  right  way." 


40  SKETCUE8. 

To  his  aunt,  Mrs.  Hutchinson,  of  Monroe,  lie  wrote  as  fol- 
lows : 

"  What  can  this  world  du  fur  a  wounded  spirit?  "When  all 
around  is  wra])ped  in  gloom,  the  star  of  Bethlehem  alone  can 
brighten  our  path  and  guide  us  into  true  peace.  This  leads  us 
to  that  Saviour  who  becomes  more  and  more  precious  as 
earth's  joys  dei)art.  In  him  all  the  riches  of  consolation  are 
found.  If  we  trust  in  him  he  will  support  ns  in  life  and  iu 
death.  But  oh,  when  we  forget  him,  and  thus  fail  to  obtain 
strength  from  him,  how  sad  we  are.  But  he  never  forgets  us. 
Then,  though  weeping  should  endure  through  the  whole  night 
of  our  pilgrimage  here,  joy  will  come  in  the  morning  of  the 
resurrection. 

'  Then  with  our  Saviour,  brother,  frieud, 
A  blest  eternity  we  '11  spend.' 

"  But,  meantime,  I  desire  to  preacli  and  do  some  good  before 
I  die.  How  could  I  wear,  with  joy,  a  starless  crown  in  the 
presence  of  that  Saviour  who  wore  a  crown  of  thorns  for 
me?" 

TO   Till':   SAMK. 

"Tlie  attempt  to  find  true  comfort,  elsewhere  than  tn  Christ, 
often  drives  from  ns  the  only  Pliysician  of  souls,  and  thus  be- 
comes itself  another  source  of  sorrow.  Why  should  we  ever 
be  sad  ?  Let  the  little  ^pan  of  existence  hero  be  always 
looked  at  in  connection  with  the  bright  Heaven  beyond,  and 
the  former  will  be  lost  in  view  of  the  glory  and  blessedness  of 
the  latter.  And  then,  when  we  feel  the  arms  of  Christ  beneath 
us,  and  see  the  work  to  be  done,  the  sorrows  to  be  relieved, 
the  souls  to  be  saved,  we  become  not  only  willing  but  anxioiuj 
to  remain,  and  do  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Then  does  the  soul 
vibrate  between  a  desire  to  be  witk  God  in  Heaven  and  a 
desire  to  work  for  Him  on  earth." 


SKETCHES.  41 


TO   THE   8AME. 


% 


"  A  long  letter  from  sister,  lately,  gives  glowing  accounts  of 
the  progress  of  lier  children  in  mind,  morals  and  manners. 
According  to  the  accounts  of  mothers,  every  child  is  a  prodigy. 
AYhy,  then,  are  there  not  more  wonderful  men  and  women  in 
the  world  ?  As  we  grow  in  years  and  stature  we  seem  to  grow 
beautifully  less  in  all  those  noble  traits  which  shine  so  con- 
spicuously in  every  prattling  child." 

Referring  to  a  brother  who  was  threatened  with  deafness, 
he  adds :  "  Most  gladly  would  I  share  my  ears  with  him  if  I 
could,  lie  would  do  so  much  more  good  with  them  than  I 
fear  I  shall." 

As  his  second  session  in  the  Seminary  drew  to  a  close — early 
in  the  spring  of  ISGl — it  became  painfully  evident  that  the 
direst  of  all  calamities — civil  war — must  come.  The  State  of 
Virginia,  to  a  large  extent,  was  conservative.  Her  people 
loved  the  Union,  and  desired  to  perpetuate  it.  Hence  much 
opposition  was  felt  and  expressed  to  the  course  already  taken 
by  South  Carolina.  But  such  views  and  feelings  were  crushed 
by  the  Proclamation  of  Lincoln  issued  on  the  loth  of  April  of 
that  year,  calling  for  75,000  men  to  make  war  u])on  the  States 
*  which  had  quietly  withdraw^n  from  the  Union,  This  united 
and  inflamed  the  Commonwealth.^  So  thorough  a  transforma- 
tion of  sentiment  and  feeling  was  perhaps  never  accomplished, 
in  80  short  a  time,  among  so  large  a  number  of  people.  Ail 
classes  and  conditions  shared  in  the  excitement.  It  readied 
the  schools  of  the  country,  and  even  the  quiet  Theoloirical 
Seminary  felt  the  influence  of  the  might}'  convulsion.  •  Lec- 
tures were  suspended,  or  but  sparsely  attended,  and  the  ques- 
tion of  remaining  or  hastening  home,  agitated  every  mijid. 
Sharing  in  the  excitement  and  perplexity  thus  produced,  bo 
wrote  as  follows : 
(> 


42  HKi-rrcnEB. 

*■ 

/ 

TO    HIS    FATUEB. 

"  Union  Seminary,  April  22,  1861. 

"  My  Dear  Father:  I  may  l)e  able  to  labor  during  our  ap- 
proaching vacation  as  a  coli)orteur.  I  ho])c  I  may.  But 
events  in  this  country  are  hastening  on  so  rapidly  to  some 
dreadful  catastrophe,  that  we  can  scarcely  indulge  the  hope  of 
doing  anything  except  to  fight  and  suffer.  We  feel  the  com- 
motion here  very  much.  Our  studies  and  recitations  are  much 
interrupted.  We  all  hold  ourselves  ready  to  take  part  in  the 
war.  Some  of  our  nund:)er  are  already  drilling.  As  to  myself, 
I  have  been  troubled  to  know  what  I  should  do.  It  would,  of 
course,  be  much  more  to  my  taste  to  remain  at  homo  with  you 
and  mother.  But  you  do  not  need  my  i)resence.  It  will 
blast  my  highest  hopes  to  take  any  step  which  woukl  retard  or 
prevent  my  entr.ance  into  the  ministry.  And  we  certainly 
ought  not  to  take  up  arms  so  hastily  as  men  in  other  profes- 
sions. Yet  we  are  not  exempt  from  uiilitary  service,  and 
hence  I  hold  myself  ready  to  go,  whenever  there  is  any  lack 
of  men.  I  will  therefore  drill  with  the  Hampden  Sidney 
Company,  and  thus  be  the  better  prepared  to  volunteer  when- 
ever it  shall  be  necessary. 

"  I  do  not  know  how  this  agrees  with  your  wishes.  From 
your  last  letter,  I  am  afraid  thiit  your  feelings  are  not  fully 
with  the  Southern  movement.  But  as  I  now  observe  that  your 
last  letter  was  dated  April  12th,  some  days  before  it  was  known 
that  Lincoln's  policy  is  coercion  and  war,  I  no  longer  doubt 
the  course  you  will  adopt.  We  of  Virginia  are  between  two 
fires.  If  we  join  the  one  party,  we  join  friends  and  allies; 
if  we  join  the  other,  wo  join  enemies  and  become  vassals. 
Our  decision  then  is  formed,  and  we  will  seek  to  break  the 
oppressor's  yoke.  Our  only  hope,  under  God,  is  in  a  united 
resistance  even  unto  deatii.  The  end  of  the  bloody  tragedy 
now  begun,  no  human  eye  can  see;  yet  in  resistance  is  our 
only  hope.  I  am  resolved  therefore,  that  with  your  consent — 
for  I  am  not  yet  a  freeman — I  will  fill  the  first  vacancy  in  our 


SKETCHES.  43 

ranks,  wlierc  a  man  is  needed  to  fight.  My  soul  is  in  God's 
hands,  and  hence  I  fear  not  him  who  can  only  kill  the  body. 
Though  I  thus  s])eak,  I  feel  more  and  more  anxious  to  be  at  my 
proper  work.  Yes,  how  delightful  it  would  be  to  enter  at  once 
upon  the  work  of  saving  men's  souls,  rather  than  in  efforts  to 
destroy  their  bodies ;  and  a  feeble  hope  still  lingers  that  my  life 
will  not  end  until  I  have  done,  at  least,  some  little  good  in  my 
Master's  vinej^ard.  But  the  war  is  begiwi,  and  I  must  help  to 
finish  it.  May  God  keep  the  minds  of  all  of  us  in  perfect 
peace  amidst  the  tumult  that  is  raging  around  us. 

Your  devoted  son,  • 

HUGH." 

TO   HIS    SISTER,  MKS.  WADE. 

f 

"  Union  Theological  Seminauy,  April  24,  1861.    * 

"  My  Dear  Sister  :  Your  letter  has  just  been  received.  For 
your  warm  affection  and  parting  blessing  I  most  heartily 
thank  you.  These  will  often  fill  my  mind  and  heart,  if  I  go 
to  the  field  of  battle.  But  I  have  not  3^et  fully  decided  what 
to  do.  If  my  duty  to  preach  did  not  restrain  me,  my  musket 
would  now  be  on  my  shoulder.  I  have  written  to  father  to 
learn  his  wishes.  If  I  leave  soon,  accept  this  as  my  parting 
letter.  God  grant  that  it  may  not  be  my  last.  But  if  it  is, 
my  hopes  are  fixed  on  abetter  world,  and  God's  love  will  draw 
us  thither.  Let  us  not  then  despond,  but  be  cheerful.  Let  me 
add  one  more  expression  of  devoted  love  to  you  and  yours." 

He  wrote  to  his  mother  on  the  same  subject  as  follows: 

"  Union  Thkolooical  Seminary,  April  25,  1861. 

"My  Dear  Mother:  Your  letter,  with  father's,  came  to-day. 
It  makes  me  sad  to  see  how  you  and  he  are  affected  by  the 
troublcsof  our  country.  If  nothing  else  can  brace  me  up  to  meet 
the  coming  trials  with  a  brave  and  cheerful  heart,  a  desire  to 
support  you  would.  Be  assured,  therefore,  that  whatever  may 
come,  it  will  be  m}'  highest  aim  to  be  a  faithful  son.     Perhaps 


14  ^KKTCHEP. 

mv  youtli  ]irevent8  nie  from  entering  more  deeply  into  your  sad 
t'eelini;:^.  The  young  heart  is  ever  prone  to  rise  and  not  sink. 
Ilencc,  tliough  for  a  time  I  was  very  mueh  east  duwn,  my 
spirits  revived,  and  1  now  liope  tliat  I  can  meet  anytliing  that 
awaits  me  with  eheerfiil  courage.  I  do  not  seek  to  do]»rociate 
our  danger,  or  to  draw  a  veil  over  the  sad  scenes  wliich  may 
be  just  before  us,  but  with  a  firm  reliance  on  the  justice  of  our 
cause,  and  in  tlie  hel}>  of  a  rigliteous  God,  we  may  go  forward 
confident  of  success.  We  may  suffer  fiir  more,  our  situation 
may  become  darker  and  darker,  but  the  morning  will  dawn, 
light  will  again  come.  With  hope  therefore  on  our  banner,  let 
me  go  to  the  battle. 

"  God  in  his  Providence  has  permitted  these  aflftictaons  to 
befall  us.  And,  my  mother,  if  he  rides  upon  the  storm — if  he 
guides  it  to  please  himself,  and  accomplish  his  own  purposes, 
shall  we  murmur  or  repine  ?  Shall  we  so  far  magnify  our  own 
wishes  and  ])huis,  as  to  shut  him  from  our  view?  What  if 
our  desires  and  pur])0scs  are  thwarted,  and  our  hapjtiness 
blasted,  does  this  make  him  any  the  less  M'ise,  or  just,  or  good? 
"What  if  darkness,  that  may  be  felt,  gathers  over  us,  is  it  not 
all  light  with  him  ?  Could  we  catch  a  glimpse  of  God,  and  of 
the  blessed  pur])oses  which  he  is  carrying  out,  how  soon  we 
should  wipe  away  our  tears,  blush  to  think  of  our  murmurings, 
and  run  with  glad  hearts  into  his  arms.  You  know  how  your 
children  used  to  do.  They  might  fret  and  cry  when  their  ])lan8 
were  crossed,  but  when  they  found  that  they  had  been  wrong 
and  vou  right,  how  gladly  did  they  run  to  you,  and  love  you  all 
the  more  tenderly  because  you  had  interposed  your  better  wis- 
dom to  control  them.  Thus  should  we  all  now  do  with  our  heav- 
eidy  Father.  The  issue  of  all  this  commotion  is  with  him. 
lie  will  certainly  bring  light  out  of  this  darkness,  and  joy  out 
of  this  sorrow.  'Wcey)ing  may  endure  for  a  night,  but  joy 
eometli  in  the  morning.' 

"That  we  may  hasten  the  coming  o^'  the  dawn,  we  must  be 
laithfid  in  our  |)resent  jiosition.  If  our  hearts  fail  and  our  hands 
hang  down,  our  condition  will  grow  worse  and  worse.     It  is 


gKEix:'iiEe.  45 

/our  duty  now  to  resist  with  brave  and  united  liearts.  Our  cause 
is  just.  We  sought  for  peace  until  wc  had  ahnost  bartered 
away  our  liberty.  We  went  witli  true  courage  and  love  of 
country  to  the  very  brink  of  ruin,  hoping  that  the  North  would 
meet  us  with  affection  and  aid  'tis  in  our  efforts  to  save  our 
once  loved  land.  Tlicy  spoke  no  word  of  encouragement  or 
kindness,  but  on  the  contrary,  have  nursed  their  enmity  and 
gathered  their  strengtii  to  ruin  us.  "We  have  just  eluded  their 
grasp,  and  our  only  hope  of  safety  is  in  brave  resistance.  AVe 
are  now  in  this  condition.  God  has  permitted  it  for  the  best 
of  purposes,  and  our  duty  to  liini,  as  well  as  to  our  country, 
our  liberties,  and  our  homes,  demands  that  we  arm  and  fight. 

"As  to  myself,  I  shall  seek  to  be  ready  to  go  whenever 
there  is  a  call  for  my  services.  My  soul  is  in  God's  hands, 
motlier,  do  n't  grieve  about  mj'  body.  He  will  take  care  of 
that  too.  I  am  now  drilling  in  the  IIain])den  Sidney  Company, 
but  have  not  joined  it.  I  wait  to  hear  father's  reply  to  my 
last  letter.     I  prefer  joining  the  Washington  College  Company, 

"  As  to  Tommie,  dear  mother,  let  not  your  heart  be  troulfled. 
Has  not  God  been  very  good  and  faithful  to  your  other  chil- 
dren ?  O  !  yes,  blessed  be  his  name,  we  believe  that  they  are 
all  safe.  And  will  God  now  forsake  you  in  your  old  age?  I 
believe  not.  His  word  is  sure.  As  he  has  saved  all  the  rest, 
he  will  save  Tommie  too.  '  Lord,  we  believe,  Iielp  thou  our 
unl)elief.' 

"Tell  father  I  received  the  money  he  sent,  and  thank  him 
for  it.  We  do  n't  know  whether  the  Board  will  meet.  My 
heart  is  full  of  love  for  all  at  home.  Be  assured  of  this. 
Mother,  if  you  could  be  cheerful,  it  would  help  me  to  be  so. 
V)nt  if  your  face  is  sad,  mine  must  be  too.  Let  us  therefore 
trust  in  God  and  quit  ourselves  like  men. 

Your  devoted  son, 

IirGIT." 


•if)  SKKFCUKS. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

LEAVES    THE   SEMINARY. — KirriRXS    HOME. — EVTERS   THE    ARMY. 

CORRESPONDENCE   FROM    APUrr-,    1801,    TO    AUGUST,    1862. 

He  remained  at  the  Seminary  until  his  second  session  closed. 
He  stood  liis  examinations,  attended  the  marriage  ol*  a  iViond, 
and  reached  home  about  the  middle  of  May,  1861.  JIc  was 
then  twenty  years  and  ei<j:ht  montlis  of  age.  llis  appearance, 
though  not  indicative  of  serious  disease,  was  sucli  as  to  awaken 
some  uneasiness  in  the  minds  of  his  friends.  Tlie  professors 
said  he  had  coniined  liimseh'  too  closely  to  his  room  and  his 
books  during  the  winter.  His  father  feared  that  the  privations 
and  exposure  of  the  camp  miglit  be  fiital  to  his  health,  and 
lield  a  full  interview  with  him,  in  which  he  sought  to  convince 
him,  that  considering  his  age,  his  acquisitions,  his  tastes  and 
habits,  he  could  more  cft'octually  serve  both  God  and  his 
country,  by  spending  tlie  summer  as  a  colporteur,  than  by 
entering  the  army  at  that  time.  He  also  urged,  that  after 
spending  the  summer  in  that  way,  he  might  then,  in  eight 
months  more,  complete  his  course  in  the  Seminary,  obtain 
license  to  ])reach,  and  enter  the  army  as  a  chaplain.  A  com- 
mission had  already  been  sent  to  him  from  the  Board  of  Pub- 
lication, at  Philadelphia,  inviting  and  empowering  him  to 
labor  in  their  service  for  such  time,  and  in  such  a  lield  as  he 
might  prefer.  But  the  war  had  already  begun,  and  this  com- 
mission, of  course,  could  not  be  accepted.  There  was  a  good 
supply  of  books,  however,  in  the  depository  at  Lexington,  and 
he  was  urged  to  use  these  in  the  service  of  the  Committee  of 
Lexington  Presbytery.  But,  having  listened  to  his  father  as 
he  always  did,  with  the  most  deferential  attention,  he  replied 
sul)stantially  as  follows : 

"Father,  what  you  say  has  much  force.  But  this  is  to  bo 
no  ordinary  war,  and  for  young  men  like  me  to  hold  back  will 
have  a  very  bad  moral  effect.     The  superior  numbers  and 


SKETCHES.  47 

resources  of  the  North  will  make  it  necessary  for  every  man 
in  the  South,  not  disabled  by  age  or  inlirmity,  to  take  part  in 
the  work  of  resistance.  I  have  thoui2;ht  and  prayed  much 
over  this  question  for  the  last  two  months.  To  be  entirely 
candid,  I  observed  a  day  of  fasting  and  ^jrayer  at  the  Semi- 
nary, with  a  view  to  learn  wliat  the  will  of  the  Lord  is,  and 
the  result  is  as  firm  a  conviction  that  I  ought  at  once  to  take 
part  in  the  defence  of  my  native  State,  and  especially  of  you 
and  mother,  as  I  ever  felt  that  I  ought  to  preach  the  Gospel." 
His  appearance,  manner  and  thoughts,  impressed  the  memory 
and  heart  of  his  father  in  a  way  never  to  be  forgotten,  and 
under  the  impression  thus  made,  he  said  ;  "  Go,  my  son,  and 
the  blessing  of  God  go  with  you."  And  although  he  fell,  the 
blessing  of  God  did  go  with  him. 

The  students  of  Washington  College  had  formed  themselves 
into  a  volunteer  company,  with  the  title  of  the  Liberty  Hall 
Volunteers,  and  chosen  their  Professor  of  Greek,  James  J. 
"White,  their  captain.  Hugh  at  once  enrolled  himself  as  a 
private  in  the  ranks  of  this  company,  under  the  command  of 
his  eldest  brother,  whom  he  had  always  loved  and  reverenced, 
almost  as  he  did  his  father.  This  company  was  composed 
almost  exclusively  of  those  then  connected  with  the  College, 
or  who  were  recent  graduates  of  the  College.  It  consisted  of 
seventy-two  in  the  aggregate,  .more  than  half  of  whom  were 
])rofessors  of  religion,  and  about  one-fourth  of  whom  were 
candidates  for  the  ministry.  It  em])raced  an  amount  of  intel- 
lectual and  moral  worth  rarely  equalled  in  any  military  com- 
pany. On  the  morning  of  the  8th  of  June,  1861,  they  were 
formed  in  front  of  the  Court  House  in  Lexington.  The  Court 
House  square,  the  main  street,  the  windows  of  the  houses,  were 
crowded  with  the  citizens  of  the  town  and  of  the  surrounding 
country.  They  were  well  drilled,  liandsomely  equipped,  and 
made  a  very  inqiosing  appearance.  A  beautiful  Confederate 
flag,  wrought  by  the  hands  of  tlie  ladies  of  Falling  Spring 
congregation,  was  presented  in  very  appropriate  terms  by  the 
Rev.  John  Miller,  and  received  in  a  few  pertinent  words  by 


48  SKETCH  KK. 

Cjipt.  Wliite.  A  brief  address  was  then  made  to  them,  and 
prayer  offered  lor  tliem  and  their  invaded  State,  ])y  tlie  tatlier 
of  the  captain  ;  after  ■whicli,  the  command  was  given,  and 
with  solemn  step,  they  marched  away  amidst  the  sighs  and 
tears  of  tlie  whole  eomnmnity.  A  large  number  in  carriages, 
on  horseback,  and  on  foot,  followed  in  their  rear  to  the  river,  a 
mile  below  the  town,  then  returning  entered  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  where  ]>rayer  and  praise  were  oifered  to  the  God  of 
grace,  who  is  also  the  God  of  battles. 

In  the  first  battle  of  Manassas,  such  was  the  gallantry  dis- 
played b}'-  this  company,  that  they  won  from  (xeu.  Jackson  the 
designation  of  "  more  tlum  brave  young  men."  Twelve  of 
them  have  fallen  in  battle.  Seven  have  died  of  disease  con- 
tracted in  camp.  Fourteen  have  been  wounded  in  action. 
They  have  been  in  thirteen  pitched  battles,  and  many  combats, 
in  a  period  of  eighteen  months;  and  on  no  occasion  have  they 
failed  to  evince  a  high  order  of  courage.  From  the  casualties 
of  battle  and  disease  they  are  now  commanded  by  their  fourth 
captain. 

As  they  awaited  orders  at  Staunton,  Hugh  wrote  to  his 
fatlier: 

"  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  our  destination  is  Harper's 
Ferry.  We  leave  to-morrow  morning,  and  are  all  in  good 
spirits.  The  ])eople  here  have  been  very  kind,  and  made  our 
condition  really  pleasant.  Many  of  our  men  have  enjoyed 
their  hospitality  at  their  houses,  and  the  others  have  enjoyed 
it  at  their  camj).  Some  hearts,  it  may  be,  are  now  swelling 
MJtli  the  desire  for  military  distinction,  ixnd  some  heads 
becoming  diiczy  with  anticipations  of  earthly  glory.  But  I 
conless  I  am  either  too  cowardly  or  too  stuj)id  to  belong  to 
either  class.  They  may  win  the  laurels,  provided  only  that 
our  cause  trium])hs.  And  of  our  final  success  you  would  not 
doubt,  had  you  seen  the  men  who  left  town  this  morning  to 
repel  the  enemy  from  our  north-western  border.  They 
appeared  to  be  good  soldiers  and  in  good  spirits.      But  they 


will  have  hard  work  aTiiid  great  difficulties.  Several  other 
regiments  are  expected  to-night.  Among  them  wo  expect  to 
see  the  Hampden  Sidney  boys.  The  attention  of  the  authori- 
ties seems  to  be  directed  to  the  north-west.  If  the  Qnemy 
persist  in  seeking  to  advance,  or  to  hold  the  nearer  points 
already  taken,  there  will  be  bloody  work.  But  it  is  of  no  use 
•to  prophesy  evil.  They  have  come,  more  are  coming,  and  they 
must  be  met. 

"  I  am  sure  it  will  relieve  your  minds  of  nmch  anxiety  to 
know  that  we  are  going  to  Harper's  Ferry,  to  meet  open  ene- 
mies, and  not  the  traitors  of  the  north-west.  I  write  at  night, 
amidst  all  sorts  of  noises.  The  boys  are  packing  their  kjiap- 
sacks,  laughing,  talking,  whistling,  and  singing.  We  are  all 
well  and  in  good  spirits.     With  best  love  to  all  at  home. 

Your  devoted  son, 

HUGH." 

A  few  da}-^  before  leaving  home,  he  wi-ote  to  his  sister  in 
Montgomery,  thus : 

"  I  expect  to  leave  this  week  in  brother  James'  company. 
Though  the  time  for  us  to  leave  home,  jierhaps  never  to  return, 
is  so  near,  yet  we  are  quite  cheerful.  When  mother  first  heard 
of  our  orders  to  leave,  she  was  very  sad,  but  she  is  now  in 
good  spirits,  making  preparation  for  our  departure.  She,  with 
all  of  us,  feels  that  it  is  a  duty  calling  for  great  self  denial,  yet 
one  we  must  meet  with  cheerful  courage.  How  wonderfully 
have  we  thus  far  been  preserved  from  great  effusion  of  blood. 
At  Sumter  and  Acquia  Creek  we  have  gained  bloodless  victo- 
ries. May  God  continue  thus  to  shield  us.  Of  course,  I  hope 
t(»  escape  death,  and  live  to  preach  the  gospel.  But  if  not, 
living  or  dying,  I  am  the  Lord's.  If  we  art^  conquered,  fare- 
well forever  to  the  bright  visions  of  philanthropists  and  chris- 
tians as  to  the  civil  and  religious  freedom  America  was  to 
maintain  at  home  and  scatter  abroad.  But  if  we  conquer,  as 
I  think  we  shall  eventually,  these  visions  -.md  hopes  may  again 
be  cherished.'' 


50  SKETCHKft. 

TO   THK    SAME. 

"  CAitp  Stephkxs,  June  24,  1861. 

"  Your  letter  was  the  first  received  since  I  left  home.  Tiie 
aftcetion  expressed  in  it,  and  now,  I  know,  I'uUowini;  me  from 
day  to  day,  is  a  source  of  joy.  Deprived  of  the  pleasures  of 
liome,  the  love  of  those  we  have  left  behind  is  like  sweet* 
incense  to  the  lieart.  Tlie  farther  a])art  we  are  scattered,  the 
stronger  and  tenderer  are  the  bonds  wliioh  l>iiid  our  hearts 
together. 

"I  am  now  four  miles  from  Martinsburg,  and  about  six  from 
the  Potomac.  We  have  not  the  comforts  of  home,  but  what 
we  have  we  enjoy  greatly.  Last  night  we  slept  on  the  ground 
without  unrolling  our  knapsacks,  expecting  to  meet  the  enemy 
before  morning.  I  spread  my  blanket  over  two  large  rocks 
firndy  embedded  in  the  earth,  and  fitted  myself  in  the  hollow 
between  them.  As  it  threatened  to  rain,  I  took  my  musket  for 
a  bed-fellow  and  held  my  cartridge  box  in  my  arms.  Soon  the 
rain  began  to  fall,  but  with  perfect  indifterence  to  this  I  fell 
asleep.  I  have  already  learned  to  prefer  the  canopy  of  heaven 
for  my  roof,  and  the  stars  as  my  lights  by  night.  In  "Winches- 
ter I  contracted  a  severe  cold  while  sleeping  in  a  house.  Four 
nights  in  the  open  air  have  nearly  cured  me. 

"  I  have  found  much  pleasui-e  in  meeting  with  old  friends. 
At  Winchester  nine  of  my  fellow-graduates  met.  It  was  the 
largest  and  happiest  reunion  we  have  enjoyed  since  parting. 
Almost  every  day  brings  some  new  enjoyment  of  this  sort, 
awaking  memories  of  the  past,  and  recalling  joys  which 
seemed  to  be  gone  forever.  Do  not  suppose  therefore  that 
mine  is  a  sad  condition,  calling  for  sympathy.  Wo  have  our 
sources  of  sadness,  like  other  people.  But  we  also  have  our 
own  peculiar  joys.  Indeed,  one  thought  of  the  cause  in  which 
we  are  engaged,  is  enough  to  scatter  all  gloom,  and  fill  us 
with  gladness. 

"Yesterday  we  heard  two  sermons  and  attended  a  prayer 
meeting.    This  gave  the  appearance,  at  least,  of  holiness  to 


» 


SKEl'OHES.  ^X 

the  day,  but  still  if  yon  had  looked  iito  our  camp  you  would 
have  thought  it  the  busiest  day  of  the  week.  Some  were 
cooking,  others  cutting  wood,  and  others  pitching  their  tents. 
It  is  painful  but  necessary  to  spend  the  Sabbath  in  this  way. 
Our  religious  privations  are  what  we  feel  most  keenly.  We 
seek  to  remedy  this  by  a  brief  prayer  meeting  held  every  night 
after  roll  call.  Nearly  all  the  members  of  our  company  attend 
with  becoming  seriousness.  May  the  trials  of  our  country 
work  in  it  a  great  moral  reformation.  If  so,  we  may  hope  for 
true  and  lasting  prosperity  when  peace  shall  again  come.  If 
not,  God  will  overturn  in  the  future  as  he  is  doing  now. 
May  he  speedily  redeem  our  world  from  sin  and  ruin. 

"  Give  all  your  household  my  warmest  love.  My  mind  and 
heart  are  full  of  you." 

The  first  great  battle  in  which  he  participated  was  that  of 
Manassas,  July  21,  1861.  In  this  he  was  much  exposed, 
fought  bravely,  but  escaped  unhurt.  Two  days  after  this 
memorable  conflict  he  wrote  to  his  father  thus : 

"Manassas,  July  23,  1861. 

"  My  Dear  Father  :  I  wrote  to  you  yesterday  that  you 
miglil  know  of  our  safety.  You  will  hear  more  of  the  particu- 
lars of  the  battle  of  the  Slst  than  I  have  time  now  to  give. 
Our  Company  has  suffered  sadly.  Five  are  dead  and  seven 
wounded.  Oh  !  how  sad  a  blow  is  this.  Who  thought  that 
our  ranks  would  thu»  be  thinned  and  so  many  be  hurried  into 
eternity  ?  Where  are  their  souls  ^  This  thought  often  per- 
plexes and  saddens  me.  I  pray  that  I  may  hereafter  be  far 
more  zealous  in  seeking  to  bring  sinners  to  Christ,  that  if  they 
die,  they  may  only  sleep  in  him.  I  wish  that  I  was  with  you 
to  join  in  ascribing  praise  and  glory  to  the  good  Providence 
which  ])re5erved  me  in  sucli  danger.  Every  one  in  the  fight 
was  in  imminent  peril.  Balls  flew  fjist  around  and  over  us, 
and  many  of  our  brave  comrades  fell  at  our  side.  But  brother 
James   and   I,  though  separated  for   a  while  during  the  first 


:>3  f*KKTClIKS. 

charge,  &(»on  nif  t  again.*  and  side  by  side  we  passed  through 
tlie  ri'maining  scenes  of  the  (hiy.  "Wo  are  nnliurt.  Thougli 
onr  loss  lias  been  great,  the  lield  is  ours.  The  enemy  were 
put  to  flight  and  chased  for  miles.  The  killed  on  either  side 
are  not  known  as  yet.  They  will  number  hundreds,  however. 
The  loss  of  baggage,  wagons,  artillery,  nnd  j)risoners  on  the 
]mrt  of  the  enemy  is  immense.  At  least  fifty  pieces  of  can- 
non, some  of  thorn  turned  against  their  former  owners,  before 
thev  were  out  of  reach,  would  be  in  itself  a  glorious  success. 
But  wlien  we  remember  that  in  their  attack  on  us,  they  were 
])repared  in  every  way  for  advancing  to  Richmond,  with  hav- 
ersacks filled  with  provisions,  preparations  for  rebuilding 
bridges,  confidently  expecting  to  march  over  us  here,  and  pass 
on  in  triumph  to  our  capital — when  we  remember  this,  wo 
may  hope  that  their  defeat  will  so  dishearten  them  as  nuiteri- 
ally  to  check  their  progress.  It  was  a  full  trial  of  their 
strength.  They  fought  bravely — for  their  regulars  and  best 
soldiers  were  engaged.  But  they  could  not  stand  the  charge 
of  bayonets.  Every  time  we  advanced,  they  fell  back.  AVho 
would  not  praise  God  for  thus  overthrowing  those,  who,  on 
liis  holy  day,  sought  to  execute  their  wicked  purpose  to  crush 
those  who  sought  to  defend  their  liberties  and  their  homes. 
It  was  an  awfu^  Sabbath.  How  often  I  longed  to  be  with 
you,  enjoying  the  privileges  of  the  Sabbath.  Even  one  hour 
w6uld  have  been  delightful.  But  God  ordered  otherwise. 
We  arc  all  in  his  hands.  He  casts  down  and  he  keeps  alive. 
May  he  speedily  crown  our  cause  with  (t)mplete  success* !  If 
it  please  him,  may  I  again  see  my  father  and  mother  in  peace, 
and  B]>end  my  life  in  ])reaching  liis  gospel.  The  scenes  in 
which  I  am  now  engaged  are  very  sad  ;  yet  the  taste  of  vic- 
tory, though  bought  by  precious  blood,  is  sweet.  But  to 
}jreach  would  be  far  better. 

"I  have  not  time  to  give  you  a  full  description  of  this  battle; 
and  perhaps  it  would  only  give  you  the  greater  pain  to  learn 
what  danger  we  were  in.  But  surely,  if  God  has  spared  ns 
in   this  most  protracted  and   bloody  battle,  as  he  has,  he  can 


SKETCHES.  53 

spare  us  in  the  future.  There  was  an  incessant  roar  of  cannon 
and  musketry  for  over  ei2;ht  hours.  Tlie  hardest  figlitino^  was 
from  eleven  to  four  o'clock.     We  were  in  this. 

"  Our  town  has  again  been  called  to  mourn.  Wm.  Page 
and  Fr.  Davidson  have  been  taken.     Our  immediate  relatives 

are  safe.     H ]\I stood  his  ground   bravely,  and   came 

out  untouched.  Give  full  love  to  all  at  home — especially  to 
vwther's  anxious  heart.  But  my  love  for  all  increases  daily. 
Send  word  of  my  safety  to  sister,  brothers  George  and  Henry, 
and  to  my  aunts  Georgie  and  Martha.  Warmest  congratula- 
tions and  love  to  sister  Mary  Lou.,  and  greetings  to  my  new 
nieces,  my  dear  parents,  and  all  at  home.  I  hope  to  see  you 
again  in  ])eace.  But  if  we  do  not  meet  here  again,  we  have  a 
home  in  Heaven." 

On  the  6th  of  August  he  wrote  ^o  his  brother  George,  giving 
him  a  full  and  admirable  description  of  the  battle.  But  as 
many  such  descriptions  have  been  written  by  others,  and  as 
we  do  not  wish  to  tax  the  patience  of  our  readers,  we  only 
give  a  sentence  or  two  with  which  he  closes  the  letter. 

"  Brother  James  and  I  Jicartily  unite  with  you  in  praising 
the  grace  which  has  spared  our  lives  in  this  bloody  battle. 
He  and  I  joined  in  the  pursuit  beyond  the  Stone  Bridge.  We 
saw  the  enemy  as  they  passed  thr(^)Ugh  the  woods  a  mile 
ahead  of  us,  and  we  returned  to  attend  to  our  wounded  and 
dead.  IS' ight  soon  closed  the  scene.  The  next  day  we  buried 
our  dead.  It  rained  the  whole  day,  and  that  night  we  sat  up 
around  our  fires.  Bro.  J.  had  religious  service  over  their 
graves. 

"  It  is  a  great  victory  ;  but  may  I  never  pass  through  such  a 
scene*  again.  Death  and  hell  may  rejoice  on  the  battle-field, 
but  let  man  be  silent.  May  God,  wlio  has  won  this  victory 
for  us,  now  give  us  peace.  My  best  love  to  sister  AVillie  and 
the  children.  Your  aff.  brother, 

HUGH." 


54  -  KKETCUE8. 

» 

The  hardships  endured  in  tlie  service  seriously  impaired  the 
health  of  his  brother,  Capt.  James  J.  "White,  but  though  urged 
by  his  General,  Surgeon,  and  many  others,  to  leave  the  army, 
he  persisted  in  remaining  until  September.  By  this  time  his 
snftorings  became  so  great,  and  his  symptoms  so  threatening, 
that  he  was  constrained  to  tender  his  resignation  of  the  com- 
mand of  his  much  loved  company — the  Liberty  Hall  Volun- 
teers. His  resignation  was  accepted  with  deep  regret  by 
those  whom  he  had  led  through  so  many  dangers  and  suffer- 
ings. But  no  one  felt  or  could  feel  so  sadly,  on  this  occasion, 
as  his  younger  brother,  whom  he  had  taught  in  college  and 
guided  in  battle,  and  who  had  ever  looked  up  to  him  with 
feelings  of  the  tendercst  fraternal  affection. 

Soon  after  he  left  the  army,  he  wrote  to  this  brother  the 
following  letter,  in  which  it  is  obvious  to  all  who  knew  him, 
lie  exerts  himself  to  repress  his  feelings. 

"Near  Centreville,  Sept.  12,  1S61. 

"  ^[y  Dear  Brot/ier  :  I  received  your  letter  from  Manas- 
sas. I  regret  the  difficulties  which  delayed  you  on  your  way, 
but  am  glad  to  think  tliat  this  afternoon  you  are  in  Tlockbridgo 
and  perhaps  now  at  home.  I  am  on  picket  at  the  house  to 
the  right  of  our  encampment,  and  though  the  breeze  is  pleas- 
ant and  the  sun  bright,  I  cannot  restrain  the  desire  jto  be  with 
you.  I  feel  your  absence  much.  I  have  not  the  pleasure  now 
of  sitting  in  your  tent  and  enjoying  your  company.  I  feel 
lonesome.     But  this  will  wear  off  in  a  few  days,  I  hope. 

"  I  fear  you  lyid  a  very  uncomfortable  ride  last  night.  The 
rain  poured  down  here  from  ten  till  after  one  o'clock.  I  bore 
it  patiently  for  an  hour,  hoping  to  endure  it  to  the  end.  But 
the  rain  wore  out  my  courage,  and  I  went  into  the  house.  1 
only  bettered  my  condition  in  keeping  dry.  The  room  was 
close,  and  the  com])any  I  was  in  rendered  my  night  very  un- 
comfortable. 

"  I  fear  a  stage  ride  at  night,  in  such  a  rain,  caused  you 
much  suffering.     But  this  is  forgotten  if  you  are  now  at  home. 


SKETCHKP.  55 

I  see  the  sun  going  down  behind  the  Bhie  Ridge.  How  mnch 
more  beautiful  it  would  appear  if  the  North  Mountain  and 
the  Brushy  Hills  formed  the  horizon.  You  must  attribute  this 
talk  to  jonr  absence  from  me  and  j'our  presence  at  home. 
Though  I  feel  thus,  my  joy  at  your  getting  out  of  the  service 
is  great.  My  health  is  perfectly  good.  I  am  young  and  with- 
out any  incumbrance.  No  one  therefore  is  better  fitted  for 
enduring  hardships.  As  to  the  danger  to  which  my  life  shall 
be  exposed  in  the  future,  I  seek  to  commit  this  to  Him  who 
orders  all  things  for  His  own  glory.  If  cut  down  now,  how 
much  in  vain  has  my  life  been.  How  little  has  been  done. 
This  thought  gives  me  more  trouble  than  any  other.  But 
even  this  may  be  quieted  by  a  calm  trust  in  One  who  supplies 
all  my  dcficicnciCiM  b}'^  His  abundant  grace,  and  can  as  easily 
accomplish  His  purposes  without  as  with  me.  And  when  the 
path  of  duty  is  so  plain,  when  we  stand  in  the  breach  to  de- 
fend all  we  hold  dear,  when  those  who  seek  our  ruin  make 
themselves  more  and  more  hateful,  by  a  want  of  ever}'  noble 
feeling  and  purpose,  and  by  the  practice  of  outrages  which 
increase  daily,  how  can  we  restrain  the  desire  to  inflict  on 
them  the  punishment  they  so  well  deserve.  This  desire  is  in 
proportion  to  my  love  for  those  at  l\ome,  and  as  the  war  has 
strengthened  the  latter,  so  has  it  also  the  former. 

"  There  was  a  considerable  show  of  battle  near  Falls  Church 
yesterday.  The  enemy,  it  is  said,  advanced  with  a  brigade  of 
infantry,  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  three  Inmdred  cavalry, 
coming  in  by  a  flank  movement  to  the  left  and  this  side  of 
Munson's  Hill.  They  were  met  by  six  hundred  of  our  in- 
fantry, with  two  pieces  of  artillery  and  some  cavalry.  Tlie 
enemy  were  driven  back  five  miles,  with  the  loss  of  three  killed 
and  seven  taken  prisoners.  We  lost  nothing  in  any  way. 
This  you  know  was  only  a  skirmish  of  almost  dail}'  occurrence. 
We  are  perfectly  quiet  here,  and  have  no  evidence  tluit  an 
advance  is  intended. 

"  A  committee  was  appointed  this  afternoon  to  draft  some 
resolutions  with  reference   to  your  resignation.    They  will  re- 


:>t»  tJKRTCHKS. 

port  to-iiiorrow.  Rest  iisaurecl  that  the  aS'ection  they  may 
express  is  really  felt.  Many  of  them  regret  your  absence 
almost  as  much  as  I  do. 

Your  affectionate  brother, 

HUGH." 

To  liis  sister,  who  hoped  to  meet  liim  on  her  visit  to  Lexing- 
ton he  says:  "I  suppose  you  are  now  in  Lexington.  My  pres- 
ence might  add  something  to  the  pleasure  of  your  visit,  and 
would,  if  ))roper,  Ull  me  with  joy.  But  do  not  let  my  al)sence, 
as  you  hint  in  your  last  letter,  detract  in  the  least  from  your 
pleasure.  I  am  veiy  conifortable  and  happy  here,  and  as  to 
any  peculiar  danger  attending  my  position,  I  am  as  safe  here 
beneath  the  shield  of  God's  protection,  as'-f  at  home  sitting 
l)eueath  my  own  father's  roof.  There  is  a  great  buzzing 
among  Editors  and  rumor-circulators  in  general.  I  have 
learned  not  to  allow  myself  to  be  disturbed  b}'  them.  1  wait 
quietly  for  the  order  to  march,  and  tlien  go  ahead.'' 

"Ni:;VE  Ckntkeville,  August  30,  1S61. 

"  My  deak  Father  :  I  wrote  you  a  long  letter  a  day  or  two 
since,  which  I  hope  has, been  received.  I  write  now  before 
breakfast,  just  as  the  morning  sun  is  looking  into  my  tent,  not 
knowing  where  I  shall  be  when  that  sun  sets.  AVe  are  expect- 
ing every  day,  almost  every  minute,  an  order  to  march.  Our 
advanced  guard  has  taken  from  the  enemy  some  hills  within 
six  miles  of  Alexandria,  from  which  (mr  men  can  look  into 
that  city,  and  can  see  the  dome  of  the  Capitol  at  Washington. 
A  place  so  near  the  tyrant's  throne,  and  of  such  commanding 
importance,  must  be  a  source  of  contention  between  the  two 
armies.  It  cost  a  struggle  to  gain  it.  Five  or  six  of  our 
cavalry  who  took  the  position  were  killed,  but  more  than  this 
of  the  enemy  perished,  and  eight  were  taken  prisoners. 

"  I  have  almost  abandoned  the  hope  of  returning  to  the 
Seminary  next  session.  This  is  a  great  disappointment  to  me, 
yet  one  from  which,  if  my  life  is  spared,  I  may  yet  derire  great 


SKETCHES.  57 

benefit.  Service  in  the  army  may  give  me  a  hardihood  and 
experience  which  will  help  ine  even  in  the  ministry.  You 
may  smile  at  this,  and  say  it  is  easy  to  extract  sweet  from 
bitter  when  a  misfortune  is  inevitable.  So  it  is — and  that  is 
just  what  I  am  trying  to  do.  It  is  of  no  use  to  fret  and  des- 
troy both  my  own  peace  and  that  of  others,  and  do  no  one 
any  good.  So,  if  the  winter  is  before,  me,  and  I  must  con- 
tend with  frost,  and  snow,  and  ice,  instead  of  grappling  Avith 
Hebrew  roots  and  knotty  points  in  theology,  I  liave  not  a  word 
of  complaint  to  utter.  Nor  do  I  anticipate  much  suifering. 
With  a  blazing  fire  to  warm  us  by  day,  and  a  sufticiency  of 
blankets  to  cover  us  at  night,  we  can  get  along  comfortably. 
It  may  only  fit  me  the  better,  if  need  be,  for  being  a  mission- 
ary in  the  Arctic  regions.  Tlius  you  see,  under  any  circum- 
stances, I  shall  derive  sweet  from  bitter — and  heat  from  cold. 
Tell  mother  that  I  have  ample  clothing  and  covering  for  some 
time  to  come.  When  brother  J.  returns  he  can  direct  as  to 
the  preparation  of  my  winter  equipments.  We  are  much 
pained  to  lose  him,  but  his  resignation  is  not  more  painful  to 
us  than  it  is  necessary  to  liiinself.  We  can  only  repa}"^  his 
kindness  by  a  life-long  aifection,  and  this  the  whole  company 
will  repay.  Your  devoted  son, 

HUGH." 

.,  "Near  Fairfax  Station,  September  IG,  186X. 

"  My  dear  Father  :  We  moved  from  our  camp  near  Cen- 
treville  tliis  morning,  and  came  five  miles  to  the  cast.  We 
have  a  very  pleasant  encampment  here  ;  but  tlic  camp  we  left — 
on  account  of  fhe  length  of  time  spent  there,  and  the  many  com- 
forts surrounding  us — liad  become  like  home.  Wc  regretted 
to  leave  it.  However,  since  V)rothor  J.  left,  the  place  had 
become  lonesome  to  me.  Every  point  was  associated  with 
him,  and  his  absence  mndo  tlie  association  mipleasant.  On 
this  account  I  was  very  willing  to  leave  it.  The  new  scenes 
which  now  surround  me,  will  make  me  more  liappy. 
8 


58  SKETCHES. 

"Do  not  think  irom  this  that  I  am  unhappy.  T  am  not. 
Absoncc  from  you  all,  of  course,  deprives  me  of  many  joys. 
But  I  am  certain  that  we  in  camp  are  more  cheerful  than  you 
are  at  home.  We  soon  become  accustomed  to  this  manner  of 
life,  and  enjoy  it.  I  can  truly  say  that,  as  a  s^eneral  thino^, 
I  am  as  contented  as  I  ever  was  in  my  life. 

"  I  have  had  some  Q;xpectation  of  a  visit  from  you.  I  heard 
that  during  your  absence  from  home,  attendincr  Presbytery, 
you  might  run  down  on  a  visit  to  Manassas.  How  n-freshing 
to  us  would  such  a  visit  be.  Your  friends  hero,  including  Gen* 
eral  and  Mrs.  Jackson,  expressed  the  strongest  desire  that  you 
should  come.  But  our  hopes  are  ixot  realized,  for  I  hear  that 
you  are  again  at  home.  But  if  you  could  come,  I  am  certain 
that  you  would  be  gratified  and  we  benefited.  For  our  com- 
pany's sake  I  wish  you  would  come  ;  many  of  them,  though 
not  members  of  the  church,  are  faithful  in  reading  their  Bi- 
bles, and  serious  in  their  attendance  at  our  nightly  prayer- 
meetings  conducted  by  the  professing  Christians  of  the  com- 
pany in  alphabetical  order.  For  tlieir  sakes,  as  well  as  ray 
own,  I  do  wish  you  would  come.  You  might  be  better  able 
to  comfort  their  parents  and  friends  at  liome  by  coming  and 
spending  a  short  time  with  them  in  camp.  Tu  our  Brigade 
(the '  Stonewall)  are  four  Rockbridge  companies — the  Greys, 
Rifles,  Artillery,  and  our  own. 

"I  suppose  brother  J-,  has  received  the  resolutions  ado])teil 
by  our  company  on  the  occasion  of  his  lamented  resignation. 

They  do  honor  to   him,  to  the  compan}',  and  to ,  Avho 

wrote  them.  Your  devoted  son, 

HUGH." 

They  soon  returned  to  their  old  encampment  at  Centreville. 

To  his  sister,  Mrs.  Wade,  he  writes:  "It  gives  me  both 
pleasure  and  pain  to  hear  from  loved  ones  at  home  and  else- 
where. Tlieir  expressiotis  of  loV0,  so  warui  and  deep,  are  very 
grateful.  But  the  anxiety  they  feel,  by  day  and  night  for  us, 
is  the  cliief  Cause  of  sadness  to  me.     Thev  think  of  us  as  home- 


SKETCHES. 


less,  houseless,  and  friendless — pinclied  with  cold  and  hunger — 
cast  forth  as  food  for  the  invading  enen^y.  1  confess  there 
is  some  iruth  in  all  this.  That  we  are  deprived  of  many  com- 
forts, every  body  knows  and  feels.  We  are  also  often  subject 
to  many  hardships.  But  with  our  sorrows,  we  have  our  joys. 
And  even  if  our  condition  wore  tenfold  worse  than  it  is,  we 
would  be  glad  to  endure  it  for  our  homes.  If  there  be  one  in 
the  army  who  does  not  find  it  more  pleasant  to  endure  the 
hardships  of  the  camp,  than  to  be  at  ease  at  home,  he  ought 
to  be,  if  he  is  not,  a  Yankee. 

"  No  amount  of  exposure  injures  my  health.  I  liave  often 
awoke;,from  my  "bed  of  earth  and  pillow  of  rocks,  more  re- 
freshed than  if  I  had  slept  on  feathers.  I  hope,  therefore,  that 
you  will  case  your  heart  of  the  burden  of  anxiety  you  feel  for 
your  two  brothers.  We  hope  we  give  in  return  equal  love 
for  yours.  We  are  fighting  in  defence  of  tliose  at  home,  and 
the  greater  the  struggle,  the  greater  our  love  for  them.  It  is 
far  more  painful  to  think  of  our  hardships  amid  the  comforts 
of  liorae  than  to  endure  them — Especially  with  those,  who,  if 
the  silver  cord  which  binds  them  to  this  world  were  broken, 
would  ascend  at  once  to  Heaven.  Our  bodies,  what  are  they? 
Our  souls,  we  hope,  are  safe.  Let  light  from  lieaven  '  then 
fall  upon  us,  and  it  is  simply  impossible  for  this  world  to  look 
dark, 

"  Rest  assured  that  the  tender  love  of  a  sister  meets  the 
warm  love  of  her  two  soldier  brother's.  Let  all  of  our  anxie- 
ties cease,  for  God  is  our  hope.  Give  our  best  love  to  Dr. 
Wade  and  all  the  children. 

"  Write  to  father  and  mother  as  often  as  possible.  Thev 
did  enjoy  peace,  but  the  recent  fighting  lias  excited  their  fears 
and  made  them  very  sad  again. 

"  What  a  happy  honnc  your  gi'oup  of  children  must  make. 
How  hai)py  they  must  be  not  to  know  what  is  going  on  around 
them.  Your  devoted  brother, 

HUGH." 


60  SKETCHES. 

To  tlio  same,  ho  \rrites,  October  1,  1861.  "  On  Saturday 
iiiL'lit  a  violent  rain  destroyed  at  oiice  onr  fire  and  our  8U]>]ier. 
We  liouirht  some  ]Mes,  however,  which  ai!bnled  us  a  £,i;)od  sup- 
per. In  the  morninir  I  was  lying  in  bed  wondering  whore 
breakfast  would  come  from,  when  a  servant  came  to  my  tent 
and  said,  there  was  a  box  for  one  of  our  company  at  the 
Colonel's  tent.  I  went  up  and  found  the  one-  yon  sent  me. 
There  wasf  breakfast  just  at  hand.  The  old  ham  was  most 
timelv.  It  sui'iplied  us  for  some  davs.  On  that  and  the  ecrgs 
we  lived  high.  Nothing  too  could  have  been  more  agreeable 
than  the  dried  peaches.  Our  cook  makes  good  pastry,  and 
the  fruit  is  sweet  enough  without  sugar,  whidi  is  scarce.  In-  ^ 
deed  all  vou  sent  was  most  suitable.  Both  you  and  they  at 
home,  liave  been  most  attentive  to  my  wants. 

"  t  should  be  delighted  to  see  your  children.  A  frolic  with 
them  would  do  much  to  supple  my  joints  and  raise  my  spirits. 
Belle  would  l>e  large  enough  to  follov;^  me. through  the  fields. 
Libertv  thus  to  ramble  would  make  mo  feel  like  a  bird  re- 
leased from  its  cage.  But  I  must  forciro  tliese  pleasures  for 
the  present,  hoping  that  the  time  will  yet  come  again  for  mo 
to  enjoy  them." 

To  his  father  he  wrote,  September  6,  18G1  : 

"Amid  tli(:^  present  excitement,  matters  of  small  moment  are 
apt  to  he  forgotten.  I  write  therefore  to  remind  you  all,  if 
you  have  forgotten  the  fact,  that  this  is  my  twenty -first  birth- 
day. According,  to  law,  I  am  to-day  a  freeman.  But  really, 
1  am  far  less  of  a  freeman  than  formerly.  Indeed  what  a 
contradiction  it  is  to  say,  that  I  am  now  free,  and  that  one 
year  ago  I  was  iiiider  authority.  Now  I  am  bound  by  military 
rule — kept  within  a  field  around  which  armed  sentinels  stand, 
Avhom  I  cannot  pass  without  a  written  permission  from  my 
commander.  This  is  only  one  of  the  ways  in  which  ray  once 
free  limbs  are  held  closely  fettered.  Formerly,  when  you  alone 
were  mv  ruler,  the  woods  and  the  fields  were  mine,  and  noth- 
ing kept  me  from  a  full  enjoyment  of  all  I  needed.     But  this 


SKETCHES.  6f 

morninpr,  since  the  sun  of  my  freedom  has  risen,  how  few  of 
my  former  Ulessing§  do  I  enjoy.  If  that  was  servitude  and 
this  is  freedom,  let  me  always  live  a  slave. 

"  Were  I  at  home  this  morning,  I  should  not  feel  like  one 
released  from  control,  but  rather  like  one  cast  for  the  first 
time  in  deep  water,  and  wiio  shudders  to  make  the  plunge, 
distrustful  of  the  treacherous  deep.  • 

•  "  Instead  of  freedom  from  your  control,  I  feel  more  disposed 
than  ever  to  do  your  bidding — to  keep  closely  in  the  path  you 
may  mark  out  for  rae.  I  know  that  you  have  sought  to  teach 
us  independence,  by  making  us  choose  for  ourselves  in  many  . 
things.  But  we  have  all,  I  think,  sought  to  know,  and  pre- 
ferred to  abide  by  3'^our  judgment.  So  I  shall  always  do.  In- 
deed I  am  nt)t  yet  out  of  my  instructor's  hands,  and  wJien  I 
am,  the  difficulties  which  will  beset  my  path,  will  call  more 
loudly  than  ever,  for  parental  instruction  and  advice.  You 
see  therefore,  that  I  still  look  forward  to  years  of  discipline 
and  control,  before  I  can  trust  myself  to  my  own  government. 
Indeed  I  never  wish  to  be  free  either  from  your  advice  or 
control." 

When  General  Jackson  was  ordered  to  an  independent 
command  in  the  valley,  his  old  Brigade — "  the  Stonewall  " — 
was  not  permitted  to  accompany  him.  Ho  went  alone,  at- 
tended only  by  a  portion  of  his  staff.  It  was  a  great  affliction 
to  his  old  troops  to  be  left.  The  following  extract  refers  to 
this  occasion  : 

'  "  Cextrp:ville,  October,  1861. 

"  My  dear  Father  :  I  do  not  think  that  any  man  can  take 
General  Jackson's  place  in  the  confidence  and  love  of  his 
troops.'  I  wish  I  could  go  with  him,  though  my  hardships 
should  be  more  than  doubled.  I  have  learned  to  look  up  to 
liira  with  implicit  confidence,  and  to  approacii  him  with  per- 
fect freedom,  being  always  assured  of  a  kind  and  ntt«ntivd 
hearing.  • 


62  SKETCHES. 

"  He  afldressed  liis  Bnfjnde,  as  they  were  formed  near  their 
encam})inent,  just  before  lie  left.  Among  otl^pr  thinp^s  he 
spoko  substantiullj  thus;  'You  were'tirst  in  the  army  of  the 
Shenandoah,  you  are  first  in  the  army  of  the  Potomac.  You 
turned  the  tide  of  battle  on  the  21bt  of  July.  You  are  first  in 
tlie  aflections  of  your  people,  and  lirst  in  the  heart  of  your 
General.'  lie  closed  amid  the  ap])lauding  shouts  of  his  devot- 
ed soldiers;  sat  for  an  instant  lookin<i:  his  men  steadily  in  the 
face,  an<l  listening  to  their  cheers,  then  turned,  put  spurs  to 
his  horse,  and  dashed  ofl:'  to  his  new  and  hard  field  of  labor." 

After  a  tearful  battle,  he  writes  :  "  Our  company  has  been 
more  than  decimated,  yet  we  are  all  willing,  1  trust,  to  fall  in 
the  sajne  way.  The  necessity  is  on  us,  and  let*  God  deter- 
mine what  our  sufierings  shall  be." 

Writing  from  Centreville  to  his  mijther,  he  sa^'s  :  *lIow 
much  I  would  give  to  be  permitted  to  spend  this  Sabbath  day 
in  Lexington.  We  have  no  house  of  worship  here,  and  are 
thus  deprived  of  the  delights  of  the  Sanctuary.  One  day  of 
sacred  rest  like  hundreds  which  have  passed  away,  uncared 
for,  and  unimproved,  would  be  at  this  time  a  feast  of  fat 
things  to  my  soul.  We  are  almost  entirely  cut  off  here  from 
the  reviving  influences  of  social  worship.  A  prayer-meeting 
everyi  night,  is  in  part  a  substitute.  Mother,-  in  your  anxiety 
for  my  bodily  comfort  and  welfare,  I  ho])e  you  will  not  i'orr 
get  my  soul.  The  atmosphere  surrounding  that,  is  as  cold  as 
that  which  surrounds  my  body.  How  much  I  wish  that 
the  power  of  divine  grace  was  more  at  work  within  me.  But 
though  cast  down  I  will  not  despair,  but  still  trust  in  God." 

Of  the  death  of  a  fellow-soldier,  another  of  the  "  more  than 
brave''  Liberty  Hall  Volunteers — a  native  and  resident  of 
Rockbridge,  he  says  :  "You  liave  doubtless  heard  before  tliis, 
of  the  death  of  another  of  our  company  ;  I  refer  to  W.  J. 
Thompson.  His  body,  1  suppose,  passed  through  Lexington 
this  morning,  to  reach  his  widowed  mother  .to-day.  He'  was 
cut  down  almost  in  a  day.     Ko  one  here  was  aware  of  his 


8KETCHE8.  66 

danger  until  the  night  before  he  was  taken  to  tlie  Junction. 
The  next  news  from  him  told  us  of  his  death.  He  died  of 
typhoid  fever,  rendered  more  incurable  by  some  disease  of  the 
stomach.  He  was  a  professing  christian,  honoring  the  name 
by  a  character  whicli  was  above  reproach,  and  by  'a  conduct 
whicli  evinced  the  sincerity  of  his  profession.  He  was  deliri- 
ous much  of  the  time  after  he  became  ill,  but  was  permitted 
to  enjoy  an  hour  or  two  of  consciousness  a  short  time  before 
he  died.  These  hours  he  spent  in  making  some  necessary  ar- 
rangements of  a  secular  nature,  and  in  reading  liis  Bible,  ac- 
companied by  audible  prayer.  We  have  therefore  good 
grounds  to  hope  that  he  has  entered  liis  home  in  heaven, 
though  his  remains  may  now  cast  sorrow  over  his  home  on 
earth.  He  is  tlie  tenth  of  our  company  who  has  fallen. 
Surely  the  hand  of  the  Lord  is  heav3'-  upon  us.  But  how  little 
apparent  good  results.  I  greatly  fear  that  as  His  chastise- 
ments have  not  softened  our  hearts  and  .thus  been  made  a 
savor  of  life  unto  life,  they  will  prove  a  savor  of  death  unto 
death,  in  hardening  them,  and  thus  rendering  us  vessels  of 
wrath  fitted  for  destruction.  How  sh'all  we  remedy  this? 
How  shall  we  avert  God^s  anger,  which  seems  daily  to  gather 
strength?  O  that  all  hearts  would  .  turn  unto  the  Lord,  and 
by  penitence  and  faith  seek  the  only  refuge  from  His  wrath. 
*  Tarn  thou  us,  O  Lord,  and  we  shall  be  turned.'  Thi^  must 
be  our  prayer,  for  God  alone  can  h(Jp  us.  Father,  you  urge 
me  to  seek  to  be  useful.  Would  it  be  proper  for  me  to  con- 
duct religious  services  whenever  an  opportunity  offers  ?  And 
should  I  connect  the  otlier  parts  of  the  service  with  a  short 
address*^  If  you  approve  of  this,  I  will  seek  such  opportuni- 
ties." 

He  wrote,  first  playfully  and  tiien  seriously  to  hisi^'oungest 
brother — a  mere  boy — as  follows  : 


i§  RKETCHT)». 

"  Centkeville,  Nov.  1,  1861. 

"Mv  L)i:au  BROTirER  :  Don't  I  owe  you  a  letter  ?  M}'  only 
reatJoij  for  not  answering  yon  sooner  is,  tlint  my  letters,  no 
matter  to  whom  directed,  are  intended  for  all  at  home.  But 
as  I  wisK  to  get  another  letter  from  you.  I  will  direct  this  one 
to  you.  H.  M.'s  going  home  makes  me  feel  like  gf»iiig  too. 
Just  think,  after  all  my  traveling,  marching,  fighting,  since 
I  left  home,  only  one  day's  travel  will  carry  me  hack.  I  can 
leave  here  in  the  morning,  and  that  night,  I  may  sleep  with 
you  in  our  old  bed  at  home.  Why  can't  1  take  this  trip  ? 
Because  I  am  not  sick.  I  have  done  nearly  everything  the 
other  boys  have  done,  but  they  have  gotten  scratched  in  bat- 
tle, or  are  sick  in  some  way,  and  gone  home,  while  I  am 
ueither  wounded  nor  sick,  and  must  stay  here.  HoWever,  I 
will  not  coiHplain  of  this.  It  is  much  better  to  stay  here  well, 
than  to  go  home  sick  or  wounded.  Father  spent  several  days 
with  us,  and  no  doubt  has  told  you  all  about  his  visit.  Did 
he  tell  you  that  I  would  not  invito  him  to  dine  with  me  ?  I 
did  advise  him,  for  iiis  own  good,  to  dine  with  Gen.  Jackson. 
It  60  happened  that  day  we  had  no  bread  for  dinner,  all  we 
had  was  l)eef,  without  bread  or  anything  else.  How  could  T 
ask  him  to  dine  with  me,  when  there  was  no  dinner?  I  fear 
he  thinks  our  living  is  very  scarce  and  very  poor.  But  with 
now  aiid  tlicn  notliing  to  eat — generally  a  ])lenty,  hnd  always 
enjoying  what  we  have,  jve  get  along  very  haj^pi^y. 

"  Yesterday  afternoon,  all  the  Virginia  troops  in  this  army 
were  assembled  around  the  main  fortification,  where  Gov. 
Letcher,  standing  on  the  embankment,  spoke  to  them  as  they 
stood  around  it,  and  presented  to  the  Colonel  of  each  regi- 
ment a  Virginia  flag.  It  was  an  exciting  scene.  The  soldiers 
looked  well  in  their  new  winter  suits,  and  their  faces  showed 
that  t\\oy  had  bravo  and  chet^rful  hearts  "within  them. 

"  You  closed  your  last  letter  by  quoting  from  scripture  a 
prayer  for  me.  You  do  not  know  how  much  gratified  I  was 
at  this.  To  know  that  those  at  home  pray  for  me  is  a  source 
of  great  comfort  and  joy  at  all  times.     How  glad  I  am  when 


SKETCHES.  6S^ 

S 

yow  join  in  that  pra,yer.  May  this  disposition  to  pray  for  me, 
lead  to  earnest  prayer  for  yourself,  and  to  an  implicit  trust  of 
yourself  to  the  Saviour  of  us  all.  Join  with  me,  morning  and 
evening,  and  with  all  at  home  around  the  family  altar,  in  com- 
mitting ourselves  to  Him  who  can  alone  protect  and  save  us." 

TO    HIS    FATHER. 

"  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  30th  ult.  Your  spirits 
seem  depressed.  I  wish  I  could  lighten  the  burden  which 
seems  to  oppress  you.  I  hope  it  does  not  arise  from  my  ab- 
sence and  the  circumstances  around  me.  Could  you  hear  the 
merry  laugh  of  our  boys,  and  see  their  gambols,  often  as  joy- 
ous as  ever  the  college  campus  exhibited,  you  would  not 
think  of  us  as  in  so  sad  a  condition.  We  are  now  used  to  and 
contented  witli  our  position — especially  since  success  begins 
to  crown  our  arms. 

"  I  have  done  a  little  of  late  in  the  ministerial  work.  Mr. 
Miller,  the  chaplain  in  our  regiment,  has  called  on  me  twice 
to  conduct  praj'er-meetings.  I  felt  some  reluctance  to  do  so, 
but  still  found  pleasure  in  complying  with  his  request.  I 
made  a  short  address  at  the  second  meeting.  I  am  much 
afraid  that  my  life  will  be  cut  off,  and  that  I  shall  fall  as  the 
barren  fig  tree.  Little  has  yet  been  done,  and  when  shall  I 
do  more  ?     Now  is  the  time,  but  where  are  the  fruits  ? 

"  How  much  I  long  to  sit  once  more  within  the  house  of 
God  at  home.  But  the  true  temple  of  the  Lord  is  the  humblo 
and  the  contrite  heart.'' 

He  adds :  "  I  am  glad,  father,  that  you  always  say  some- 
thing in  your  letters  for  my  spiritual  good.  My  wants  are 
far  greater  in  this  respect  than  you  imagine.  May  the  prayers 
of  parents  so  wonderfully  blessed  heretofore,  and  the  privi- 
leges we  now  enjoy,  through  the  grace  of  God,  conspire  to 
supply  my  spiritual  necessities." 
9 


CC  PKKTCIIES. 

Speakin*;  of  the  conversion  of  a  member  of  his  company,  he 
says,  "]r<>\v  ha]»py  it  makes  mc  to  hear  of  even  one  sinner 
rctuniin*;  to  God." 

Referring  to  his  youngest  brother,  the  only  mcml)or  of  the 
family  not  a  ])rofe8sor  of  reHi;ion,  he  says,  "  I  tremble  ami  join 
with  you  all  in  prayer  for  T.  I  have  a  sweet  and  strung  con- 
fidence that  the  covenant  will  embrace  all,  and  at  length 
gather  ns  to  one  home  in  Heaven." 

He  frequently  concludes  his  letters  to  his  jiarents  thus: 
"  Hoping  that  God  will  yet  restore  me  to  you  and  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  your  devoted  son." 

To  liis  mother  he  says,  "I  am  much  h;i]i[iiiT  lium  ,\t>u,  I 
expect.  Indeed  I  could  not  be  more  convft»rtable  in  camp. 
Be  cheerful,  motheV,  for  God  is  with  us  both." 

It  has  been  stated  that  when  Gen.  Jackson  left  Centrevilje  to 
take  conniKiiid  in  the  valley,  the  Stonewall  Brigade  was  not 
permitted  to  go  witli  him.  On  his  arrival  at  Winchester,  Col. 
Preston  was  despatched  to  Kichmond  ibr  the  purpose  of  rep- 
resenting to  the  authorities  there,  the  importance  of  reinforc- 
ing Gen.  Jackson.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  with 
others,  this  mucli-loved  Brigade  was  ordered  to  follow  him. 
This  was  joyful  news  to  those  who  had  parted,  as  we  have 
seen,  so  reluctantly  with  their  honored  and  much-loved  leader. 
They  were  soon  on  their  wa}',  and  the  following  letter  describes 
their  march  from  Centrcville  to  the  neighborhood  of  Winches- 
ter, in  November,  1861. 

"  My  Dear  Father  :  According  to  the  orders  received  at 
Centreville,  and  mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  letter,  we  marched 
from  that  place  to  the  Junction  on  last  Saturday  morning. 
We  reached  the  latter  place  about  midday,  expecting  to  take 
the  train  for  Strasburg  in  a  short  'time.  But  we  were  disaji- 
]>ointcd.  The  train  did  not  come  for  us  until  late  in  the  night, 
and  we  could  not  leave  until  Sunday  morning.  This  delay 
was  made  more  distressing  by  the  rain  which  fell  fast  all  Sat- 


,  SKETCHES.  67 

urday  afternoon,  and  continued  for  some  time  into  the  night. 
"We  had  to  take  it  without  any  shelter,  keeping  one  side  dry 
by  the  fire  while  the  other  was  drenched  with  rain.  All  that 
we  got  to  eat  was  such  scraps  as  we  ha])pcned  to  bring  with 
us,  or  could  pick  up  by  the  wayside.  But  these  things  were 
forgotten  when  the  clear  sun  arose  on  Sunday  morning.  "We 
rode  all  day,  and  at  sunset  reached  Strasburg.  After  exercis- 
ing much  patience,  which,  you  know,  is  seldom  found  in 
hungry  men,  we  got  some  supper,  then  spread  our  blankets 
in  the  freight  cars,  and  were  soon  lost  in  sleep.  You  may 
know  that  few  were  able  so  to  remember  that  Sabbath  day  as 
to  keej)  it  holy.  Many  forgot  the  day  altogether,  and  were 
surprised  when  reminded  of  it.  I  sought  to  keep  my  thoughts 
on  sacred  subjects,  thinking  often  of  the  delightful  services 
enjo3'ed  at  home,  and  longing  for  the  privilege  of  joining  in 
them  once  more.  The  first  so^^nd  too  that  reached  my  ear  on 
entering  Strasburg,  just  after  sunset,  was  that  of  the  church- 
going  bell.  I  greatly  desired  to  obey  its  summons,  but  could 
not.  So,  committing  myself  in  secret  to  Him  who  watches 
over  me  so  constantly,  I  fell  asleep.  Monday  morning,  we  left 
Strasburg  at  11  o'clock,  and  marched  to  this  place,  a  distance 
of  fifteen  miles,  by  sundown.  It  was  the  first  long  march  we 
had  taken  for  many  weeks  ;  but  the  boys  stood  it  remarkably 
well.  My  feet  were  blistered,  but  by  the  use  of  a  prescription 
mother  gave  me  on  leaving  liome,  they  are  alrcad}'  almost 
well.  Our  camp  is  on  the  borders  of  a  beautiful  forest,  which 
furnishes  us  at  once  with  wood  for  our  fires  and  leaves  for 
our  beds.  The  lands  around  us  are  very  rich ;  almost  every 
hill  is  covered  with  flocks  of  sheep  or  herds  of  cattle — serving 
to  rcimpress  me  with  the  conviction  that  I  have  a  glorious 
country  to  fight  for." 

"  "Wln'ch ESTER,  December  24,  1861. 
"  My  Dear  Father  :  I  wrote  you  a  note  as  we  were  on  our 
w^ay  to  the  Potomac.     Our  work  is  done,  and  last  Sunday 
night  found  us  encamped  on  the  spot  we  left  on  the  preceding 


68  SKETCHEP. 

Monday  morning.  Yesterday  we  received  an  order  from  Gen. 
Jackson  to  report  at  once  to  liim  on  sjiecial  duty.  We  came 
joyfully  at  once,  and  onr  company  is  now  actinia  as  body  guard 
at  his  headquarters.  We  are  encamped  in  a  pretty  lot  on  the 
borders  of  the  town,  and  liope  soon  to  be  very  well  situated. 

"  You  may  wish  to  hear  of  our  expedition  to  the  Potomac. 
Its  object  was  to  destroy  a  dam  in  the  river,  wliich  feeds  the 
Chesapeake  and  Ohio  Canal.  We  reached  the  river  Tuesday 
night,  marching  fifteen  miles  the  tirst  day  and  thirteen  the 
second.  We  had  no  tents  with  us,  and  slept  on  the  ground  in 
the  woods  every  niglit.  Only  two  or  three  companies  were 
engaged  on  the  work  at  one  time.  The  rest  were  reserved  in 
case  an  attack  from  the  enemy,  at  any  point,  might  require  a 
large  force  to  repel  it.  Four  regiments  lay  back  about  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  river.  One  lay  just  over  the  brow 
of  a  hill  above  the  dam.  A  company  of  riflemen  was  sta- 
tioned in  a  stone  mill  on  the  bank  of  the  river  to  fire  on  the 
enemy  across  the  river.  That  the  men  might  destroy  the  dam 
without  being  fired  upon  by  the  enemy,  a  breastwork  was 
thrown  up  in  the  night  below  the  dam  and  obliquing  down 
the  river.  This  much  was  done  before  the  enemy  were  aware 
of  our  presence.  But  protected  by  the  breastwork  on  one 
side  and  tlie  dam  on  the  other,  they  were  out  of  danger.  To 
get  to  and  from  their  work  they  went  and  returned  by  night. 
After  thus  working  for  some  days,  the  enemy,  on  Thursday, 
opened  their  cannon  upon  the  mill  in  which  were  the  riflemen. 
One  ball  went  through  one  wall  and  lodged  in  the  other,  and 
a  shell  burst  within  the  mill.  Our  men  were  therefore  forced 
to  fly,  but  in  doing  so  had  to  run  a  terrible  gauntlet.  One 
narrow  pathway  up  the  hill  for  near  250  yards  was  the  only 
way  of  escape  for  them,  and  all  along  that  })atli  they  were 
exposed  to  the  tire  of  several  regiments  from  the  opposite  side 
of  the  river.  Our  regiment,  at  the  time,  lay  on  the  brow  of 
the  hill  above — heard  the  incessant  fire  and  welcomed  the 
boys,  as  one  by  one  they  escaped  unhurt  from  this  shower  of 
balls.     We  too  were  unable  to  give  them  any  help,  because 


SKETCHES.  69 

the  enemy  were  so  hidden  behind  tlie  banks  of  the  canal  as  to 
be  concealed  from  our  view,  and  so  far  off  as  to  be  out  of  the 
<ange  of  our  guns.  The  firing  at  length  ceased,  and  only  one 
of  olir  men,  our  townsman,  Joshua  Parks,  had  fallen.  But  all 
were  not  yet  safe.  Ten  sought  shelter  behind  the  trees  and 
were  unable  to  move,  lest  their  positions  should  be  made 
known  and  thus  escape  become  impossible.  All  therefore 
remained  behind  two  or  three  trees  with  their  dead  compide 
at  their  side,  from  morning  till  evening,  afraid  to  move  a  limb 
from  its  position.  As  dark  came  on  they  hoped  to  escape  then 
unseen  by  the  eneni}',  but  before  the  sun  was  down  the  enemy 
with  their  shells  set  fire  to  the  mill,  the  light  from  which 
delayed  their  escape  still  longer.  I  really  do  not  see  how  anv 
position  could  be  more  trying  than  this.  It  equals,  in  thrill- 
ing interest,  anything  I  ever  read  or  heard  of  in  Indian  war- 
fare. 

"  Danger  was  all  around  them.  They  were  unable  to  help 
themselves  or  get  help  from  others,  and  even  night  did  not 
conceal  them  from  their  enemies.  But  at  length  the  mill 
burned  down,  and  all  came  safe  from  the  very  jaws  of  death. 
Capt.  Edmundson,  with  several  of  his  men,  succeeded  also  in 
recovering  the  body  of  poor  Parks.  His  life  would  luiv^been 
saved,  and  the  rest  of  the  company  freed  from  all  danger,  if 
Gen.  Jackson's  order  had  been  received  in  time.  His  order 
was  to  leave  tlie  mill  when  tlie  workmen  left  the  dam — before 
daybreak.  But  this  order  was  not  delivered  to  the  Captain  in 
time.  It  is  peculiarly  sad  to  hjse  a  life  whicli  might  have  been 
saved — but  I  hope  he  was  prepared,  and  certainly,  as  far  as 
this  life  is  concerned,  death  met  upon  tlie  utmost  verge  of  our 
State,  in  an  effort  to  defend  it  against  the  invader,  is  full  of 

glory- 

"After  two  days  more,  enough  of  the  dam  was  destroyed  to 
turn  off  the  water,  and  we  were  glad  to  turn  our  faces  towards 
Winchester.  Our  whole  brigade  was  in  a  very  critical  posi- 
tion. Look  to  the  map,  and  you  will  sec  Williamsport  in  a 
bend  of  the  river.     On  the  left  side  of  this  bend  is  a  Rutallcr 


70  SKETCHES. 

one.  Jiifit  at  tliis  point  is  the  dam,  and  within  this  peninsula, 
not  over  a  mile  and  a  half  wide,  we  lay  all  the  time.  From 
both  sides,  therefore,  we  were  exposed  to  the  enemy's  gmA, 
and  only  avoided  them  by  moving  about  frequently  from  ])lace 
to  place,  s])ending  our  nights  generally  in  the  woods,  close  to 
the  river,  and  during  the  day  returning  to  the  open  fields  to 
cook  our  food.  From  this  funnel,  however,  we  escnped  on 
Sa||irday  morning,  and  reached  onr  old  camp  on  Sunday  night. 

"  1  wrote  to  you  that  I  had  seen .     My  conversation 

with  him  on  tlie  subject  of  religion  was  very  gratifying.     It  is 

glorious  news  to  hear  of  other  similar  cases.     I  will  see 

as  soon  as  possible,  and  also  Mr.  .     On  our  marcli  up 

from  the  Potomac  I  fell  in  with .     He  introduced  the 

subject  of  religion,  which,  of  course,  was  a  most  agreeable 
to]>ic.  It  was  the  Sabbath,  and  much  did  our  minds  need 
every  helj)  to  keep  our  thoughts  in  tlie  right  channel.  I  will 
seek  to  have  further  intercourse  with  him. 

"  I  received  recently  from  the  Central  Presbyterian  office 

some  Testaments,  $10  worth,  the  amount  of  money  on  hand 

for  our  regiment.     These  I  will  sell,  or  give  away,  as  seems 

proper.    Testaments  are  more  needed  here  than  guns  or pcnoder. 

^  "  Your  affectionate  son." 

Young  Parks,  who  was  slain,  was  a  worthy  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.  His  body  was  brought  to  his  native 
place,  and  interred  in  the  midst  of  an  immense  and  sorrowful 
assembly. 

The  persons  indicated  by  the  blanks  towards  the  close  of  the 
letter  ure  young  men  who  left  home  destitute  of  all  religious 
concern,  but  who  have  become  awakened,  or  hopefully  j)iou8, 
since  they  entered  the  army. 

On  Kew  Year's  day,  1862,  they  left  Winchester,  and  the 
following  letter  gives  u  vivid  pictiwe  of  their  march : 


SKICTCIIE8.  71 

"  Bath,  Morgan  Co.,  Jan.  4,  1862. 
"My  Deak  Fatiiee:  I  wrote  you  a  line  just  as  we  were 
leaving  Winchester,  saying  that  we  expected  to  inarch  to 
Ivonniey;  but  we  were  mistaken.  You  ^nll  see  where  we  are 
b}"  referring  to  the  map.  We  have  bee^ji  on  the  march  since 
the  first  of  January,  at  2  o'clock,  P.  M.,  but  liave  come  only 
about  forty  miles.  It  has  been  the  worst  marcli  in  every  res- 
pect we  liave  ever  taken.  The  roads  were  so  bad,  and  the 
wagons  and  horses  so  poor,  that  it  was  impossible  to  go  more 
than  ten  miles  a  day.  Our  company  was  separated  from  its 
wagon  with  all  its  baggage  and  provisions,  on  Tliursday, 
and  we  have  not  seen  them  since.  By  sending  back  men  to 
meet  it,  enough  food  has  been  brouglit  to  keep  us  from  starv- 
ing. But  our  blankets  we  have  not  seen  for  two  days  and 
nights,  and  our  tents  have  been  sent  back  to  Winchester  to 
relieve  the  wagon  of  its  load.  To  make  our  condition  still 
worse,  the  weather  lias  become  very  wintiV.  Thursday  night 
wc  did  not  sleep  at  all — only  nodded  for  a  few  moments  around 
the  fires.  Our  company  was  with  the  General's  wagons,  and 
behind  us  was  a  long  train,  wliose  drivers  were  all  yelling  at, 
and  cursing,  and  beating  their  horses.  We  could  only  ad- 
vance a  few  hundred  yards  at  a  time.  When  one  wagon 
stalled,  all  behind  it  had  to  wait  until  it  could  move  again. 
We  were  stopped  in  this  way  rei)eatcdly,  but  kcjjt  struggling 
on  from  daylight  until  11  o'clock  at  night.  We  were  then 
stopped  for  so  long  a  time,  that  we  kindled  large  fires  and  pre- 
pared as  best  we  could  to  remain  until  morning.  But  at  2 
o'clock^  A.  M.,  General  Jackson  sent  us  an  order  to  push  for- 
ward to  him,  a  mile  and  a  half  in  advance,  if  ]»06sible.  We 
started,  but  had  not  gone  a  fourth  of  a  mile  when  we  were 
forced  to  wait  until  morning  enabled  the  men  to  get  a  wagon 
before  us  out  of  a  mud-hole.  By  day-break  we  were  up  from 
our  fires  and  working  on.  After  getting  to  the  General,  he 
told  us  to  march  with  c»ur  regiment.  We  did  so,  but  still  met 
with  so  many  delays  that  we  made  no  better  progress.  Just 
after  dark,  while  we  marched  on,  the  snow  commenced  falling 


TiJ  BKETCireS. 

very  rapidly.  You  may  imagine  that  a  dreary  prospect  was 
before  us.  We  liad  eaten  nothing  since  morning,  our  wagon 
was  several  miles  before  us,  we  had  no  shelter  for  the  night, 
and  not  even  a  blanket  to  protect  us  from  the  snow  and  the 
cold.  We  have  seen  eomo  hard  times,  but  this  was  the  worst 
of  all.  Several  wagons  lay  along  the  roadside,  broken  down  ; 
and  one,  with  its  team  and  all  its  baggage,  with  a  sohlier  on 
the  top  of  all,  pitched  over  and  rolled  down  a  bank  twenty  feet 
long.  None  however  was  injured.  We  at  last  came  to  our 
camp-ground,  and  amid  the  driving  snow  and  piercing  cold, 
the  men  began  to  collect  wood  for  their  fires,  and  to  seek  shel- 
ter under  the  bushes.     C Y- and  I,  with  the  captain's 

permission,  returned  to  a  barn  a  mile  back  of  us,  and  found  a 
bed  in  the  hay  and  fodder.  We  slept  pretty  well,  but  were 
glad  to  leave  at  day -break.  We  found  the  snow  only  an  inch 
or  two  deep,  but  it  was  freezing  cold.  We  joined  the  regi- 
ment just  in  time  to  march  with  it.  I  got  my  breakfast  at  a 
house  on  the  roadside.  When  we  got  within  a  mile  or  two  of 
this  place  we  halted  while  General  Jackson  recounoitered  to 
see  how  he  should  drive  the  Yankees  away.  At  length  we 
moved  forward,  but  the  fleet  limbs  of  the  enemy  saved  all  but 
twenty.  We  entered  the  town  therefore  with  no  loss  of  life, 
and  are  quartered  to-night  in  rooms  which  were  occupied  last 
night  by  the  enemy.  They  were  only,  I  hear,  some  six  or 
eight  hundred  strong.  We  are  in  one  of  the  houses  of  the 
Berkley  Springs.  This  is  a  happy  close  to  a  most  dreary 
march.  So  now  let  the  memory  of  the  past  only  stimulate  to 
wanner  gratitude  for  our  safe  deliverance  from  danger  and 
hanlshi]),  and  give  us  stronger  confidence  for  the  future.  The 
Ila^id  that  has  helped  will  continue  to  help;  and  now,  with  a 
happy  good-night  to  you  all,  I  close  my  Icttier  to  enjoy  a  good 
night's  rest  in  a  house  by  a  fire. 

"  Your  affectionate  son, 

HUGH." 


SKETCHES.  73 

At  a  well  known  period  in  the  history  of  tliis  war,  lie  wrote 
to  his  father  thus  : 

"February  5,  1862. 
"  There  is  but  one  feelinn;  with  us — that  of  perfect  devotion 
to  Gen.  Jackson.  With  him  we  are  ready  to  go  anywhere, 
and  to  endure  anything.  But  if  he  is  to  bo  run  down,  our 
spirit  is  utterly  broken,  and  we  can  never  re-enter  the  service 
with  cheerful  hearts.  But  I  trust  his  resignation  wilT  not  be 
accepted,  and  if  so,  all  will  be  well  again,  and  our  noble"  com- 
mander will  come  forth  as  triumpliantly  from  the  assaults  of 
Southern  /riendsRS  he  has  done  from  the  "bullets  of  Northern 
enemies.  The  Government  must  know  how;  essential  he  is  to 
the  success  of  the  Southern  cause." 

The  year  for  w^iich  he  had  enlisted  was  approaching  its 
termination,  and  the  question  of  re-enlistment  gave  him  much 
concern.  He  was  not  long  undecided.  The  following,  letter 
to  his  father  explains  his  views  on  the  subject : 

"  "WmcHESTEK,  March  4,  1862.  ; 
"  Yesterday  the  order  came  very  unexpectedly  for  each 
Captain  to  muster  his  men  for  re-enlistment.  We  had  to 
decide  the  question  during  the  day.  Few  were  prepared  to 
decide  so  important  a  question  on  so  short  notice.  After  no 
little  anxious  thought,  with  prayer  for  divine  guidance,  I  de- 
cided to  re-enlist.'  Some  of  the  reasons  for  doing  so  are  these. 
Althougli  my  year  expires  in  June,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to 
remain  in  tlie  army  until  next  fall,  when  the  Seminary  term 
commences,  and  so  far  as  we  can  now  see,  there  would  be  no 
better  reason  for  leaving  the  army  then  than  exists  now.  The 
condition  of  our  country  must  become,  during  the  summer, 
better  or  worse.  If  better,  Gen.  Jackson  says  my  reasons 
would  be  sufficient  to  secure  me  a  disciiarge  from  the  service 
to  return  to  tlie  Seminary.  If  worse,  I  wisli  to  remain  wliere 
I  am.  I  need  not  say  how  very  important  it  is  for  the  preser- 
vation of  our  army  that  as  many  of  its  as  possible  should  stand 
10       • 


74  BKKTCHES. 

firm  ill  our  places,  resolved  never  to  give  up  the  cause  wo 
have  espoused.  In  doing  this,  every  one  must  sacrifice  a 
great  deal.  In  my  own  case  it  cost  me  a  great  struggle,  for  it 
removes  far  ofi"  the  most  cherished  object  of  my  heart.  The 
ministry  is  still  before  me.  On  it  my  best  afiFections  fasten, 
and  in  it  are  wrapped  np  my  brightest  hopes.  Nothing, 
therefore,  could  give  me  greater  pain  than  to  have  any  barrier 
placed  between  me  and  the  ministry,  or  to  have  any  veil  cast 
over  the  hopes  connected  with  it.  But  yet  there  are  good 
reasons  for  my  remaining  in  the  army. 

"  It  has  heen  to  me  a  school  which  I  much  needed,  and 
from  it  much  has  been  learned  that  was  almost  essential  to  my 
success  ih  the  world,  and  which  could"  scarcely  have  been 
learned  anywhere  else.  Tliree  years  spent  in  the  army,  if  I 
am  spared,  will  do  much  to  fit  me  for  the  ministry.  Besides, 
how  is  our  army  to  be  supplied  with  religious  reading  ?  We 
have  very  few  chaplains.  Unless,  therefore,  there  are  some 
who  will  be  glad  to  receive  and  distribute  Testaments  and  re- 
ligious books,  this  work  will  be  wofully  neglected,  and  the 
results  must  be  disasti-ous.  I  have  sought  to  do  a.  little  to 
supply  this  want — little  indeed  it  was — yet,  wherever  the  good 
word  of  God  falls,  we  may  hope  for  fruit  unto  eternal  life. 
And  if  the  ])lan  suggested  in  one  of  my.  recent  letters,  to  get 
permission,  without  a  regular  license  from  Presbytery,  to  act 
somewhat  in  the  caj^acity  of  chaplain,  in  the  absence  of  a 
regularly  licensed  minister,  could  be  earned  out,  it  would 
give  me  more  liberty,  and  enable  me  to  do  more  good. 

"  "With  such  views  as  these,  not  wjthout  hesitation,  I  admit, 
my  course  has  been  chosen.  I  regret  that  time  was  not 
allowed  me  to  consult  you  more  fully,  but  in  your  last  letter^ 
you  threw  the  resj)onsibility  of  deciding  entirely  on  me.  I 
hope  that  it  is  for  the  best.  My  mind  and  heart  are  v^^ith  you 
all  at  home,  yet  free  from  anxiety,  because  God  is  with  us  all," 


SKETCHES. 
TO    HIS    SISTER,    aiBS.    m'cKUM. 


"  Let  me  hear  how  tlic  Seminary  prospers.  I  cannot  be 
there,  but  stiy.  I  am  anxious  to  licar  how  many  are  there. 
The  war  has  put  a  great  barrier  across  my  ]->ath,  but  one 
which  cannot  be  avoided.  It  must  be  crossed.  If  I  get 
through  safely,  I  shall  enter  upon  the  Avork  of  the  ministry 
with  unspeakable  delight.  I  long  to  spend  ni}'-  life  in  the 
work  of  saving  souls,  and  to  be  kept  back  now  when  just  on 
the  verge  of  commencing  my  work,  is  like  being  kept  from 
home  when  it  is  just  in  sight.  But  I  may  do  more  good  here 
than  in  the  m^nistr^^  I  bear  raj  delay  therefore,  with  patience." 

There  were  many  in  the  Confederate  army  whose  views  and 
spirit  were  substantially  tlie  same.  There  were  twelve  or 
fifteen  in  the  company  to  which  he  belonged,  and  the  influ- 
ence they  exerted  was  eminently  useful, 

"  Winchester,  March  7,  1862. 

"My  Dear  Father:  Your  letter,  with  mother's,  came  yes- 
terday.    This  was  a  real  feast  to  me,  and  I  reply  at  once. 

"  The  army  and  the  community  here  are  still  kept  in  pain- 
ful suspense,  as  to  what  is  to  be  done.  The  impression  is 
general  that  the  place  will  be  evacuated,  and  some  of  the  citi- 
zens are  already  leaving.  But  no  one  knows  what  is  to  be 
done.  The  soldiers  only  ha^ve  orders  to  be  ready  to  move  at 
any  time,  but  when,  or  in  what  direction,  is  wholW  unknown  to 
U8.  My  own  impre8si<jn  is,  that  Gen.  Jackson  will  fight,  unless 
they  come  in  overwhelming  numbers.  Charlestown  is  their 
chief  point  of  rendezvous,  and  if  they  move  from  there  towards 
Winchester,  a  force  from  Lcesburg  can  easily  fall  in  their  rear, 
by  the  help  of  which  we  could  hope  to  defeat  them.  And  if, 
as  you  remember.  Gen.  Jackson  drew  up  his  Brigade  of  four 
regiirtents,  last  summer,  and  watched  more  than 'an  hour  for 
Patterson's  whole  army  to  advance  to  the  attack,  we  may 
expect  him  to  dispute  the  enemy's  advance  now.  But  what- 
ever comes,  may  we  be  ready  to  meet  it.     The  only  way  to 


76  SKKTCHKft. 

have  anv  true  peace  of  mind  is  just  to  be  ready  tor  anything:, 
80  that,  come  what  may,  we  shall  be  prepared  to  bear  it.  It 
is  not  however,  anxiety  for  nivself  that  breaks  niv  peace. 
Learnin:::,  throiii;h  your  letter  received  yesterday,  that  you  had 
thrown  the  responsibilit}'  of  volunteering  on  T.,  gave  me  moi*e 
anxiety  than  anythin<r  of  a  personal  nature  that  has  occurred 
during  the  war;  yet  it  may  be  best  for  him.  So  far  as  this  life 
is  concerned,  it  is  far  better  that  every  Southern  man  should 
die,  resisting  the  ^N'orthern  invader,  than  bow  his  neck  to  tho 
cruel  yoke  he  seeks  to  impose  upon  us.  And  as  U)  our  eternal 
interests,  the  only  way  to  secure  them,  is  by  faithfully  follow- 
ing the  path  of  duty.  And  what  duty' can  be  more  imperative 
or  sacred  than  resistance  to  the  fanatical  power  which  now 
rules  the  North,  and  seeks  to  subjugate  or  destroy  us?  The 
path  of  the  soldier,  therefore,  full  of  temptation  and  danger, 
may  become  the  way  of  life  to  many.  The  instances  of  this 
among  our  Lexington  boys,  should  encourage  all  to  hope  for 
the  best." 

TO    HIS    MOTHER. 

"  Your  letter,  was  a  treat  to  me.  The  expressions  of  affec- 
tion, and  the  accompan^nng  prayers  for  me,  are  grateful  to  the 
heart.  You  expect  us  to  move  forward  very  soon,  either  to 
another  great  battle  on  our  own  soil,  or  to  invade  that  of  our 
enemies.  Of  course  1  cannot  tell  jvhat  a  day  ma}'^  bring  forth, 
but  I  see  no  reason  to  expect  a  great  battle  so  soon.  I  am 
ready,  I  hope,  for  anything.  I  do  not  feel  like  turning  my 
face  homeward,  however,  until  all  at  homo  are  relieved  from 
fear  of  the  enemy.  I  wish  to  return  to  enjoy  with  you  the 
pleasures  of  home  in  peace,  and  not  to  share  the  anxieties 
which  now  distress  you.  Let  us  oidy  bear  up  with  Christian 
firmness,  and  iiglit  with  courage,  trusting  in  God,  and  we  may 
hope  for  a  speedy  close  to  the  war. 

"Thank  T.  for  the  prayer  M'ith  wliich  he  closes  liis  letter  to 
me.  O !  if  he  were  a  Christian,  how  much  more  willing  I 
should  be  to  die. 


SKETCHES.  "  77 

"  Mrs.  Gen.  Jackson  arrived  yesterday.  She  came  to  head- 
quarters just  as  Bishop  Johns  was  about  to  begin  evening 
worship.  Her  arrival  occasioned  some  excitement.  She  looks 
very  well.  I  had  the  pleasure  of  speaking  to  her  after  the 
service  had  ended.     Her  face,  as  always,  seemed  like  sunshine. 

"  Bishop  Johns  preached  for  us  two  very-  good  sermons. 
They  were  simple,  earnest,  faithful  proposals  of  Christ, to  his 
hearers.  J  enjoyed  them  botli  very  much,  and  hope  they  did 
good  to  all. 

"  Much  love  to  one  and  all,  but  especially  to  j^ou,  my  de- 
voted mother,  from  your  son,  HUGH." 

TO   HIS    YOUNGEST   BROTHER. 

"The  recent  disasters,  and  especially  that.flt  Fort  Qonclson, 
have  not  discouraged  but  aroused  the  army,  and  they  are  more 
anxious  to  do  something  to  redeem  our  cause  than  ever.  I  am 
glad  that  the  same  effect  has  been  produced  among  the  people, 
many  of  whom  ought  to  have  been  in  the  army  long  ago.  No 
man  ought  to  permit  himself  to  be  drafted.  It  is  my  intention 
now  to  remain  in  the  army.  Although  you  are  not  yet  seven- 
teen years  of  age,  I  wish  you  could  be  here.  But,  T.,  I  am 
afraid  to  see  your  life  in  so  ihiuch  danger.  I  should  tremble 
far  more  for  you  than  for  myself.  If  I  am  killed,  I  have  a  good 
hope,  that  I  should  at  once  enter  Heaven,  and  be  happy  for- 
ever. This  hope  cheers  and  animates  me  at  all  times,  so  that 
while  death  walks  on  every  side,  no  tormenting  fears  arise. 
But  alas !  how  different  with  those,  who,  unprepared  for  death, 
meet  it  on  the  Held  of  battle.  I  have  heard  sucli  men  cry  to 
God  for  mercy  in  the  midst  of  the  battle,  when  their  cry  seemed 
louder  than  the  roar  of  the  cannon,  and  certainly  pierced  the 
heart  with  keener  angyiish.  * 

"  How  then  could  I  endure  to  sec  you  placed  in  danger  of 

»    such  a   fate  ?     Will  you  then,  at  (Incc,  seek   preparation   for 

death,  so  that  whether  it  meet  you  at  home,  with  everything 

to  promote  your  bodily  comfort,  or  amid  the  horrid  carnage  of 

the  battle-field,  it  will  be  without  terror?     Whv  not,  at  once 


78  SKKTCHES. 

do  80?  Why  wait  cue  day,  oiio  hour  longer^  Everythiuir 
calls  you  to  decide  quickly  for  God  and  against  sin.  Every 
day  you  live,  out  of  Christ,  sin  is  binding  you  more  and  more 
firmly  in  its  fetters,  and  may  thus  hold  you  as  its  captive  for- 
ever. I  beseech  ^^ou  therefore,  to  l)reak  off  from  every  form 
of  sin.  Tear  yourself  away  from  it  by  fleeing  at  once  to  Jesus 
Christ,  the  only  Saviour  from  sin  and  death.  Do  you  never 
feel  anxious  to,  be  a  Christian  ?  Wheii  you  sit  in  >our  room 
at  night,  with  your  Bible  at  your  side,  does  something  never 
whisper  to  you — open,  read,  obey  that  l)ook,  that  you  may  bo 
happy  forever?  I  know  it  does.  Tiiis  is  the  Spirit  of  God, 
speaking  to  you.  Heed  its  voice — searcli  tlie  Scriptures,  an<l 
you  shall  find  eternal  life.  I  wish  I  could  write  more  to  you, 
but  I  cannot  to-day.  My  prayers  follow  you  day  and  night. 
But  even  this  will  avail  nothing,  if  you  will  persist  in  rejecting 
the  Saviour.  The  question  of  life  or  death,  salvation  or.  eter- 
nal destruction,  must  be  decided  by  yourself.  The  only  reason 
why  sinners  are  lost  is,  that  they  '  will  not  come  to  Christ,  that 
he  may  give  them  life.'  It  is  their  own  fault.  How  will  you 
decide?  Decide  at  once  for  Christ,  I  do  beseech  you. 
Your  fond  brotluM', 

HUGH."  * 

To  his  mother  he  writes:  "You  have,  no  doubt,  seen  the 
Message  of  President  Davis  to  Congress  on  tlie  recent  victory. 
It  is  tlie  most  becominji:  and  beautiful  thin":  of  the  kind  I  ever 
saw.  It  displays  joy  and  gratitude,  but  no  exultation  nor 
boasting.  It  is  the  language  of  a  man  who  feels  his  need  of 
divine  help — appreciates  our  danger — feels  our  sorrows — and 
rejoices  in  our  good  more  than  in  his  own.  How  desj)icable 
do  our  enemies  appear  in  the  light  of  this  Message. 

"If  this  Message  be,  as  I  believe  it  is,  an  .exponent  of  the 

feelings  of  the  Southern  li'eart,  it  is  even  more  cheering  than 

.the  victory  which  called  it  forth.     If  we  do  not  now  forget  the 

source  of  our  power,  and  who  it  is  ahSne  that  can  give  us  the 


SKETCHES.  ♦  i  Vi 

victory,  we  may  be  assured  that  our  God  will  not  leave  rts  to 
the  will  of  our  enemies,  l)ut  will  rid  us  of  them  forever." 

Thus  pure  was  his  piety,  and  elevated  was  his  patriotism. 
His  thoughts  and  his  prayers  were  given  habitually  to  his  God 
and  his  country. 

Early  in  the  spring  of  1862,  General  Jackson  was  compelled 
by  greatly  superior  numbers  to  abandon  Wincliester  and  move 
slowly  up  the  valley.  The  following  letter  to  his  father  de- 
scribes the  battle  of  Kernstown,  the  first  that  was  fouglit  after 
the  evacuation  of  Winchester. 

"  March  29,  1862. 

"  My  Dear  Father  :  "We  moved  from  Strasburg  in  the 
morning,  expecting  after  a  slight  skirmish,  to  spend  the  eve- 
ning in  Winchester.  With  merry  hearts  we  marched  on. 
After  seeing  the  General's  wagons  safeh'  across  C^dar  Creek, 
our  company  went  ahead  more  rapidl3^  [His  company  was 
body  guard  to  General  Jackson.]  The  roar  of  cannon  soon 
proved  that  there  was  some  obstacle  in  our  way.  About 
noon,  it  was  ascertained  thq,^  we  should  have  a  battle.  This 
had  been  so  little  expected  that  many  had  left  their  guns  and 
cartridge  boxes  in  the  wagons.  I  borrowed  cartridges  from 
others,  and  went  on.  Our  whole  force  could  not  have  exceeded 
3,500.  Our  company  marched  to  a  point  within  six  miles  of 
Winchester,  and  then  turned  into  the  fields  on  our  left  in  search 
of  our  liegiment.  After  going  nearly  a  mile,  we  reached  it  just 
in  time  to  move  with  it-  to  a  new  position  further  to  the  left. 
As  we  moved  from  the  woods,  the  enemy's  artillery  opened 
fire  Upon  iis.  Their  shells  passed  very  near  us,  but  no  one 
was  struck.  Some  of  the  shells  fired  at  us,  struck  the  ground 
*and  rebounded,  forming  a  graceful  curve,  and  leaving  a  track 
of  smoke  behind  them,  exploded  like  rockets,  thirty  feet  above 
our  heads.  l>ut  for  the  danger,  the  scene  would  have  been 
beautiful. 

"  Our  artillery  passed  bcyoivd  us,  and  to  our  left,  drawing 
the  enemy's  fire  from  us  to  theittselves.     During  the  cannon- 


so    *  •  SKETCHES. 

ading,  we  lay  qniot,  some  talking  and  even  laughing,  wliilo 
others  were  silent  and  thoughtful.  We  were  soon  ordered 
to  march  beyond  the  artillery.  The  crack  of  the  rifles  and 
the  whistling  of  the  balls,  soon  told  us  what  we  must  now 
expect.  Soon  volleys  of  musketry  seemed  to  shake  the  hills 
with  their  incessant  roar.  I  could  but  wonder  how  any  one 
could  escape.  But  our  Liberty  Hall  boys  moved  forward  at  a 
quick  step  to  the  brow  of  a  hill  where  the  enemy  were  in  full 
view.  From  this  point  we  continued  to  fire  about  an  hour. 
I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  a  man  near  me  struck,  al- 
though I  saw  the  blue-coated  enemy  lying  dead  and  wounded, 
and  now  and  then  others  would  fall.  A  regiment  on  our  left, 
perhaps  the  37th,  saw  the  enemy  trying  to  reach  a  stone  fence, 
and  starting, /cached  it  first.  From  this  position  they  poured 
a  deadly  fire  into  their  ranks,  which  together  with  our  fire  on 
their  flank,  soon  forced  them  to  retreat.  We  exulted  for  an 
instant,  but  they  soon  renewed  the  fire  from  the  top  of  a  hill. 
Our  men  were  nearly  worn  down  by  constant  exertion  against 
men  who  ^ere  reinforced  every  few  moments  by  fresh  troops. 
They  succeeded  at  length  in  getting  on  our  right,  and  threat- 
ening to  cut  us  oft'  entirely  from  any  wJiy  of  escape.  "We 
therefore  retreated,  loading,  and  firing  on  them  as  we  ran. 
Once,  when  I.  looked  back,  I  saw  the  old  "stars  and  stripes" 
waving  over  the  ground  we  had  just  left.  This  vexed  me 
more  than  anything  else  during  the  day.  A  party  of  us  pres- 
ently halted  and  fired  into  a  party  of  them.  They  scattered 
like  a  flock  of  partridges.  A  little  while  after  this,  I  was  out 
of  sight  and  saw  them  no  more.  Morrison  and  Lyle  (their 
Captain  and  1st  Lieutenant)  were  ,with  me  just  before  we 
stopped  to  fire  this  last  time.  T  did  not  see  them  again.  Tliey 
went  too  far  to  the  right,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Yankee 
cavalry.  If  taken  to  Winchester,  they  will  find  warm  friends. 
If  we  leave  behind  us  when  forced  to  retreat,  as  true  and  loyal 
Virginians,  as  are  the  people  of  Winchester,  the. Yankees  may 
march  through  the  whole  land,  and  yet  accomplish  no  more 
towards  our  subjugation,  than  the  arrow  which  pierces  the  air 


SKETCHES.  81 

and  leaves  no  trace  behind.  Oar  loss  in  killed,  wounded  and 
prisoners  will  be  a  little  over  400.  The  Yankee  papers  ac- 
knowledge that  they  had  8,000.  men  engaged,  and  850  killed 
and  wounded  on  their  side.  These  numbers  may,  with  truth, 
be  doubled.  One  of  their  Colonels,  and  fourteen  of  their 
Captains  and  Lieutenants  were  killed.  Our  soldiers  are  not 
discouraged  in  the  least.  Our  confidence  in  General  Jackson 
is  undiminislied,  and  we  will  follow  him  with  as  mnch  enthusi- 
asm as  ever.  I  most  firmly  believe  that  God  is  on  our  side, 
and  on  this,  as  an  immovable  rock,  we  can  rely. 
Your  affectionate  son, 

HUGH." 

After  the  battle  just  described,  General  Jackson  fell  back 
slowly  up  the  valley,  witli  only  about  4,000  men,  in  the  face 
of  the  enemy  numbering  at  least  20^000.  On  reaching  Har- 
risonburg, he  turned  to  the  left,  leaving  the  great  road  leading 
from  Winchester  to  Staimton  in  uninterrupted  possession  of 
the  eneni}-.  Neither  friends  nor  foes  knew  where  he  had  gone. 
The  former,  under  the  impression  that  he  had  abandoned  the 
valley,  were  much  alarmed,  and  the  latter,  unwilling  to  return 
or  to  pursue  him,  and  afraid  tliat  if  they  continued  on  towards 
Staunton,  he  miglit  fall  upon  their  rear,  concluded  to  take 
formal  possession  of  the  vilhige  of  Harrisonburg,  and  there 
pillage  and  burn,  and  play  the  vulgar  tyrant  in  general,  so  as 
fully  to  let  our  people  elsewhere  know  what  they  liad  to  expect 
if  subjugated,  and  thus  fire  tliem  with  a  fiercer  spirit  of  resist- 
ance. Tlie  sensitive  and  refined  lieart  sickens  at  the  recital  of 
their  brutalities. 

Jackson  encamped  for  a  short  time  at  Swift  Run  Gap,  in  a 
gorge  of  the  Blue  Ridge,  nineteen  miles  from  Harrisonburg. 
He  then  crossed  the  mountain,  to  Meacham's  River  in  Albe- 
marle, thence  recrossing  at  Rockfish  Gap,  hastened  on  through 
Staunton,  towards  tlie  Alleghany,  to  pay  his  respects  to  Mil- 
roy  at  McDowell. 


b3  SKETCHES. 

The  inarch  from  Swift  Run  Gap  to  Meachani's  River,  the 
most  lahorions  and  painful  they  had  ever  taken,  is  thus  de- 
scribed in  a  letter  to  his  father: 

""We  are  in  Albemarle  county,  eleven  miles  south  of  Meach- 
am's  River.  Yesterday  and  last  night  we  made  the  worst 
march  we  have  ever  taken.  Our  wagons  started  about  7 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  but  could  not  go  over  eight  miles 
during  the  day  and  night.  The  troops  were  behind,  and  dark 
found  us  only  two  or  three  miles  from  the  camp  we  left  in  the 
morning.  The  remainder  of  the  distance  we  came  after  night- 
fall, wading  much  of  the  way  through  mud  and  water,  ankle 
and  sometimes  knee  deep.  Thisis  no  exaggeration,  buta  simple 
fact.  The  men  became  perfectly  reckless,  and  plunged  into 
mudholes  and  ponds  of  water  with  a  yell  or  a  laugh.  We 
passed  a  camp  on  the  wayside,  and  instead  of  finding  our 
wagons  there,  were  told'  that  they  were  three  or  four  miles 
ahead.  We  complained  some,  but  pushed  on.  Most  fortu- 
nately we  had  sent  on  a  man  from  each  mess,  to  build  fires 
and  prepare  supper  for  the  rest.  The  thought  of  fire  and 
supper  cheered  many  a  heavy  heart,  and  when,  between  nine 
and  ten  o'clock,  we  reached  our  camp,  shouts  of  laughter 
echoed  through  the  woods.  Every  one  had  an  Tliad  of  woes  to 
recount,  spiced  however,  always  with  something  ludicrous,  and 
we  all  made  merry  over  the  toils  and  mishaps  of  the  way.  To- 
day we  have  remained  quiet,  waiting  for  the  troops  behind  to 
come  up.  To-morrow  morning,  we  leave  to  go  east — as  some 
say.  But  whore  we  are  to  go,  for  what  purpose  and  with  what 
result,  no  one  knows.     If  God  be  our  guide,  all  will  be  well." 

On  the  same  march  he  adds:  "It  pains  me  to  leave  the  val- 
ley, yet  it  did  me  good  to  get  into  Albemarle.  How  pleasant 
it  would  be  to  spend  a  week  or  two  in  Charlottesville,  my 
native  place.  But  I  do  not  expect  this.  We  hear  that  the 
people  of  Rockbridge  are  becoming  alarmed.  It  would  be 
painful  to  have  all  communication  with  home  cut   ofi".     But 


SKETCHES.  83 

this,  and  even  worse  can  be  borne,  provided  we  can  only  repel 
the  invader.  If  his  unholy  feet  shonhl  ever  touch  the  soil  of 
Rockbridge,  I  sincerely  hope  that  the  undefended  citizens  will 
remuin  at  kome.  It  is  useless  to  run  away.  Yes,  let  them 
remain  in  their  invaded  homes,  calmly  but  firmly  refusing  to 
yield  any  obedience,  or  show  any  favor  to  those  who  thus 
come  to  rob  and  to  ruin  them.  When  I  can  do  nothing  else 
for  my  own  dear  home,  and  the  loved  ones  there,  I  can  pray 
that  God  would  give  them  courage  in  the  face  of  their  foes, 
and  submission  to  his  holy  will." 

These  fears  were  groundless  as  to  his  home,  and  the  sorrow 
he  felt  at  leaving  the  beautiful  valley  in  which  that  home 
stands,  was  soon  removed,  for  they  did  move  the  next  morning, 
to  pass,  as  we  have  seen,  to  Staunton,  and  so  to  the  north- 
west. 

In  a  letter,  written  at  Franklin,  in  Pendleton  County,  he 
refers  briefly  to  the  battle  with  Milroy  at  McDowell,  and  to 
their  situation  at  Franklin. 

"  Our  Brigade  was  not  in  the  battle.  It  was  fought  at  great 
disadvantage  on  our  part,  but  victory,  at  length,  rewarded  the 
resolute  bravery  of  our  troops.  They  fought  as  if  resolved 
never  to  surrender.  As  we  marched  to  the  tield  after  the 
battle,  we  met  many  wounded,  who  cheered  us  on,  boasting 
that  they  had  got  the  field  at  last.  We  hear  good  news  from 
Williamsburg.  May  the  power  of  the  enemy  soon  be  broken, 
and  their  armies  scattered  to  the  four  winds. 

"The  enemy  now  took  position  before  us,  and  we  were 
brought  forward,  confident  that  a  battle  was  at  hand.  Now, 
our  regiment  was  in  front.  Several  companies  were  sent  for- 
ward as  skirmishers.  These  were  met  by  the  skirmishers  of 
the  enemy,  and  a  brisk  fire  began,  which  is  usually  the  iin'tia- 
tive  to  a  general  engagement.  One  of  their  shells,  aimed  with 
great  precision  at  a  point  at  which  Gen.  Winder,  Col.  Ronald 
and  several  of  us  were  standing,  fell  within  four  feet  of  me  and 


84r  SKETCHES. 

exploded,  covering  me  with  earth.  But,  '  no  one  was  hurt.' 
My  escape  was  wholly  providential.  How  gracious  has  been 
God's  care  of  me.  Oh  !  that  I  could  thank  him  and  love  him 
as  I  ought.  • 

"  Yesterday,  we  remained  quiet,  observing  the  morning  as  a 
Sahhath^  having  religious  services  in  several  regiments,  and  in 
the  afternoon  moved  back  several  miles  to  this  point.  [When 
a  Sabbath  as  such  was  lost.  Gen.  Jackson's  rule  was  to  observe 
the  first  quiet  day  he  could  command,  as  a  Sabbath.]  We 
have  been  pursuing  the  enemy  down  a  ravine,  in  which  they 
can  choose  many  positions,  from  which  they  could  only  be 
dislodged  by  storm  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  through  a 
country  which  produces  nothing  but  maple  sugar.  !Not  one 
acre  in  a  thousand  can  be  cultivated.  We  are  on  the  march 
again,  and  en-route,  I  think,  for  Harrisonburg.  We  are  all  fa- 
tigued and  our  feet  are  sore.     Otherwise  we  are  Avell." 

They  hurry  on,  and  the  next  we  hear,  is  tliat  having  spent 
the  Sabbath  as  a  day  of  rest,  at  the  Augusta  Springs,  they 
meet  the  enemy.     He  says  to  his  father  : 

"  We  are  in  Front  Royal.  The  enemy  fled  in  haste  yester- 
day afternoon.  Several  hundred  were  taken  prisoners.  Few 
were  killed  on  either  side.  Captain  Sheets  was  killed  while 
scouting  round  the  town.  I  would  not  have  lost  him  for  a 
thousand  Yankee  prisoners.  We  took  the  enemy  here  by  snr- 
])rise.  Two  Yankee  trains,  heavily  laden  with  commissary 
stores,  arrived  from  Alexandria  just  in  time  to  fall  into  ourhands. 
There  were,  I  hear,  several  thousand  barrels  of  flour  and  several 
hundred  sacks  of  salt,  with  many  other  valuable  articles.  We 
move  this  morning  towards  Winchester,  distant  nineteen  miles. 
The  force  of  the  enemy  here  is  not  known.  But  from  what  we 
hear,  it  does  not  exceed  10,000.  Tom  (his  youngest  brother), 
was  left  at  Harrisonburg,  completely  worn  out.  Many  of  the 
boys  are  broken  down.  II.  M.  could  not  keep  up  with  us, 
yesterday.      He   is   well,    but  foot-sore,   and  much   wearied. 


SKETCHES.  85 

We  marclied  twenty-five  miles  yesterday,  and  can  do  the 
same  to-day,  if  thereby  we  can  only  drive  out  the  invader. 
Send  my  clothes  as  soon  as  possible,  as  I  am  much  in  want. 
"Warmest  love  to  all.  I  hope  soon  to  date  a  letter  to  you  from 
AVinchester." 

This  hope  was  soon  realized,  for  his  next  is  dated 

"  WiNCHESTEEf,  May  27,  1862. 

"My  Dear  Father:  General  Jackson  has  gained  a  complete 
victory  over  Banks,  putting  his  army  to  utter  rout,  and  cap- 
turing several  thousand  prisoners.  This  brilliant  success  began 
at  Front  ifoyal  on  Friday  afternoon.  Saturday  morning  our 
army  pushed  on  towards  Winchester  by  two  routes.  A  part 
of  General  Ewell's  force  moved  directly  towards  this  place.  The 
rest,  together  with  General  Jackson  and  his  army,  turned  to 
the  left  towards  Middletown,  situated  live  miles  from  Stras- 
burg  and  thirteen  from  Winchester.  Banks,  with  about  8,000 
men,  had  l)een  at  Strasburg,  expecting  us  to  come  directly 
down  the  valley,  (^n  Friday  night  he  heard  what  had  oc- 
curred at  Front  Royal,  and  on  Saturday  morning  made  a  hasty 
retreat  towards  Winchester.  But  our  forces  came  into  Mid- 
dletown as  his  were  passing  through,  and  cut  his  army  into  two 
parts,  forcing  tlie  smaller  portion  to  hasten  back  to  Strasburg. 
The}'  l»urned  the  bridge  over  Cedar  Creek,  to  prevent  our  pur- 
suit. What  became  of  them  I  have  not  heard.  It  is  reported 
that  many  of  them  were  captured,  and  the  rest,  I  hope,  arc 
making  all  haste  towards  the  Ohfo  river.  We,  at  once, 
turned  to  pursue  the  other  and  larger  portion  of  liis  forces. 
Ashby's  cavalry  charged  up  the  road  towards  Middletown,  as 
Banks  passed  down,  and  at  once  a  panic  and  a  rout  ensued. 
Some  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  killed,  but  the  most  of  them 
threw  themselves  from  their  horses  .and  fled.  Almost  an  entire 
regiment  was  so  frightened  that  they  could  make  no  resistance. 

"  As  we  pursued  the  enem}',  the  road  was  lined  on  eitlier  side 
with  wagons — many  left  without  horses — others  upset,  with 


86  SKETCHES. 

their  contents  scattered  in  all  directions,  and  tou-ards  evening 
we  found  dozens  of  wagons  on  fire.  We  did  not  lialt  as  night 
came  on.  Tlie  Yankees  at  length  became  somewhat  stub- 
born, and  hiding  themselves  on  the  road-side,  fired  on  our 
men  as  they  passed.  To  be  ambushed  thus  in  the  dark  was 
fitted  to  throw  our  men  into  confusion.  And  to  some  extent 
it  did  so.  But  skirmishers  were  sent  in  search  of  them,  and 
while  they  fought  the  enemy  in  the  bushes,  order  was  re- 
stored to  the  ranks.  They  at  length  gave  back,  and  we  moved 
on.  We  fell  into  an  ambush  several  times,  but  General  Jack- 
son seemed  determined  not  to  be  stopped,  and  we  pushed  on 
untilthree  o'clock  in  the  morning,  when  we  lay  down  on  the  road 
side,  a  mile  and  a  half  from  Winchester,  and  rested  until  the 
day  broke.  We  rose,  shook  the  dew  from  our  limbs,  and 
moved  forward.  I  saw  General  Jackson  ahead,  watching  the 
Yankee  skirmishers,  and  sendiiTg  some  of  our  men  to  meet 
them.  In  a  few  moments  firing  commenced.  The  27th  "Vir- 
ginia, under  Colonel  Grigsby,  drove  in  the  enemy's  skirmishers, 
and  took  the  hill  on  which  they  were  posted.  The  cannonading 
soon  became  brisk.  The  Yankee  sharpshooters  did  us  much 
more  injury  than  their  artillery,  killing  two  of  the  Rockbridge 
battery,  and  wounding  most  of  the  eighteen  who  were  wounded 
durino-  the  battle.  Once  our  artillery  were  compelled  to  yield 
a  little,  but  in  a  short  time  our  infantry  advanced  to  meet  tliat 
of  the  enemy.  The  tide  now  turned  in  our  favor.  The  enemy 
\)Yoke — our  men  advanced  with  loud  cheers — then  they  rushed 
forward,  driving  the  excited  foe  before  them.  '  Forward,' 
was  now  the  command  to  the  whole  army,  and  in  a  few  min- 
utes, we  were  rushing  through  the  streets  of  Winchester,  amid 
the  most  rapturous  cheers  of  the  citizens,  who  had  sought  shel- 
ter from  the  balls  in  cellars  and  elsewhere,  but  now  they  ran 
forth  frantic  with  delight.  We  paused  long  enough  to  shake 
hands  with  acquaintances  whom  we  happened  to  see  on  the 
wayside.  Many  of  the  frightened  and  retreating  foe  dispersed 
themselves  through  the  town,  begging  the  people  to  shelter 
them  hi  their  houses,  kitchens,  or  even  stables.     The  prisoners 


SKETCHES.  ST 

may  be  numbered  by  thousands.  The  rout  was  more  com- 
plete than  that  at  Manassas.  Most  of  our  troops  were  worn 
.down,  and  stopped  five  miles  above  Winchester.  It  would 
make  your  blood  boil  to  hear  of  the  insolence  and  cruelty  of 
the  enemy  practiced  on  the  people  of  Wincliester,  from  Gen- 
eral Shields  down  to  the  lowest  Dutchman  that  wallowed  in 
the  streets.  But  the  crowning  act  of  all  was  their  setting  fire 
to  the  town.  One  street  was  in  a  blaze  when  we  entered,  and 
a  large  building  in  the  heart  of  the  town,  filled  with  medicine, 
was  fired,  but  happily  extinguislied.  So  long  as  their  senti- 
nels dared  to  remain,  no  one  was  jlermitted  to  attempt  to 
extinguish  the  fire.  Those  are  the  friends  who  come  oidy  to 
protect  us,  and  to  seek  a  more  permanent  union  with  us.  De- 
liver me  from  such  friends." 

We  have  already  learned  that  Capt.  H.  R.  Morrison  aiul 
Lieut.  John  Lyle  were  captured  at  tlie  battle  of  Kernstown. 
They  were  immured  in  a  dismal  prison  at  Fort  Delaware, 
wlicre  for  about  five  months  they  endured  much  luxrdsliip. 
When  the  offices  thus  made  vacant  were  filled,  the  company 
conferred  the  captaincy  on  the  subject  of  these  sketches.  On 
his  election,  he  wrote  to  liis  fatlier  as  follows : 

"  The  result  surprised  me  greatly.  I  had  hoped  for  nothing 
liigher  than  tlie  lieutenancy,  and  was  not  confident  of  that. 
But  the  question  was  decided  in  my  favor,  and  with  much 
fear  I  acce])t  the  position.  I  do  not  expect  any  increase  of 
happiness,  but  an  increase  of  responsibility,  leading  to  much 
perplexity  and  toil.  The  care,  the  kindness,  the  ceaseless 
efibrt  called  for,  will  greatly  increase  my  need  of  help  from 
the  grace  of  God.  To  this  source  I  look,  praying  that  by  ex- 
ample and  by  effort  the  men  may  become  good  soldiers  and 
good  Christians.  I  ask  that  all  at  home  will  pray  that  I  may 
be  fitted  for  the  position  I  now  hold." 


88  SKETCHES. 

On  the  same  subject  he  writes  to  his  brother  Henry : 

"Promotion  in  itself  brings  neitlier  peace  nor  happiness, 
and  unless  it  increases  one's  usefulness  it  is  a  curse.  An  op- 
portunity is  now  afforded  for  exerting  a  wider  influence  for 
good,  and  if  enabled  to  improve  this  aright  I  shall  then  be 
happier  than  before.  My  life  is  now  given  to  the  army,  and 
will  be  spent  in  it,  )3ven  to  the  end  of  the  war.  But  if  nw  life 
is  spared  to  see  the  end,  and  we  are  successful  in  our  struggle, 
it  will  be  the  delight  of  my  heart  to  spend  the  remainder  of  it 
in  the  work  of  the  mini^ry.  I  am  not  fond  of  the  arin3\  In- 
deed many  things  in  it  are  hateful  to  me ;  but  nothing  is  so 
much  so  as  the  invader  of  my  native  soil. 

"Tom  has  joined  our  company  recently.  I  feel  most  anx- 
iotis  about  his  soul.  This  is  now  more  than  ever  under  my 
influence  and  in  my  hands.  This  tliought  makes  me  tremble. 
I  can  only  pray  that  Gdll  would  visit  him  with  His  grace  and 
save  him.  Let  us  never  forget  him  in  our  prayers;  for  it  may 
be  that  while  you  pray  he  is  exposed  to  all  the  dangers  of  the 
battle,  or  possibly  just  on  the  verge  of  eternity.  If  unpre- 
pared, how  sad  will  be  his  end.  The  thought  is  dreadful. 
Let  us  trust  in  God,  and  be  instant  in  prayer." 

The  next  battle  in  which  he  participated  was  that  near 
Harrisonburg  and  at  Port  Kepublic. 

^"  Brown's  Gap,  June  11,  1862. 

"  My  Dear  Father  :  General  Jackson  has  fought  two  more 
very  hard  battles ;  defeated  the  enemy  both  times,  drove  him 
as  far  as  he  wished,  and  then  extricated  himself  and  saved 
everything  from  the  trap  set  by  the  enemy  to  catch  him.  Our 
regiment  was  not  in  the  thickest  of  either  fight,  and  no  one  of 
our  company  is  hurt,  though  the  balls  have  made  holes  in 
some  of  their  clothes.  Our  army  had  fallen  back  to  Port 
Republic,  and  we  hoped  to  rest  for  several  days,  and  prepare 
for  another  camjtaign.     "With  these  thoughts,  we  were  lying 


SKETCHES.  89 

in  oiif  camp,  on  Sunday  morning,  the  8th  instant.  A  bright 
sun  made  all  around  look  beautiful  and  cheerful.  We  were 
expecting  soon  to  meet  for  public  worship,  and  to  spend  the 
day  in  calm  and  holy  communion  with  God  and  his  people. 
Suddenly,  artillery  opened  fire  within  sight  of  us.  Tlie  enemy 
had  come  up  the  soutli  side  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  were 
trying  to  destroy  the  bridge  at  Port  Republic,  which  was 
our  only  way  of  escape,  if  tlie  enemy  j^ressed  upon  us.  Their 
cavalry  at  the  same  instant  liad  dashed  into  Port  Republic, 
seized  Major  Crutchtield,  of  General  Jackson's  staff,  and  the 
General  himself  had  to  run  fast  to  slip  them.  They  liad  a 
piece  of  artillery  in  Port  Republic.  He  passed  near,  and 
gave  them  some  order,  and  dashed  on  to  our  camp,  ordered 
the  long  roll  to  be  beat,  and  in  an  instant  we  were  pushing 
down  the  road.  Our  infantry  pickets  had  now  cleared  Port 
Republic  of  the  enemy,  retaken  Major  Crutchfield,  with  the 
guard  over  him,  and  captured  that  piece  of  artillery.  Our 
artillery  was  already  in  position,  firing  at  the  enemy  across 
the  Shenandoah.  We  came  up  just  in  time  to  witness  the 
beautiful  scene.  The  Rockbridge  and  Alleghany  batteries 
fired  with  great  accuracy,  and  every  shot  told  with  wonderful 
eflt'ect.  The  enemy  were  in  the  open  bottom,  we  on  a  com- 
manding blufi".  They  were  soon  thrown  into  disorder,  and 
ran  oflf  in  a  liurry.  We  saw  them,  their  guns  glistening,  their 
flags  and  all,  and  it  did  us  good  to  seu  them  in  such  a  hurry 
to  get  out  of  our  country.  We  remained  where  we  were  to 
guard  the  position ;  but  it  was  soon  evident  that  the  main 
army  of  the  enemy  was  advancing  from  Harrisonburg.  This 
was  only  a  feint  to  attract  our  attention,  cut  off  our  only  way 
of  escape,  while  their  main  force  advanced  from  the  other 
side  to  crush  and  seize  our  whole  army.  Tiiis  was  their  plan. 
One  part  was  already  foiled,  and  in  a  wink  General  Jackson 
was  moving  the  rest  of  his  army  to  check  their  advance  from 
Harrisonburg.  The  artillery  soon  opened,  four  or  five  miles 
from  us.  It  grew  faster  and  louder,  till  there  was  an  incessant 
12 


90  SKKTCUKS. 

roar,  ■wliicli  made  cverythiiioj  quake.  It  was  more  inc(^ssaiit, 
louder,  and  continued  loniijer  than  any  other  cannonading  I 
ever  heard.  It  lasted  from  10,  A.  M.,  to  3,  P.  M.,  which, 
with  the  cannonading  near  us  in  the  morning,  made  the  light 
with  artillery  alone  continue  over  six  hours  on  th.at  day.  The 
re])ort  came  to  the  infantry  that  our  forces  were  falling  back, 
and  we  received  the  order  to  withdraw  from  our  ]>i>t;itions. 
Tliis,  however,  was  sc^n  countermanded.  We  remained  in 
our  places,  and  from  the  sound  we  could  tell  that  the  enemy 
were  frivinj;  wav.  How  earnest  was  our  praver  that  God 
would  grant  us  complete  success,  and  our  prayer  was  answered 
beyond  our  highest  expectations.  The  enemy  were  driven 
back  live  or  six  miles,  and  after  dark  we  were  recalled  to 
camp,  back  of  Port  Republic,  to  hear  more  particularly  of 
one  of  the  hardest  battles  of  the  war,  in  which  an  inferior 
force,  retreating,  and  attacked  by  one  larger  and  fresher  than 
itself,  yet  rallied  so  rapidly,  and  resisted  the  enemy  so  bravely, 
that  he  was  compelled  to  give  back  and  retreat.  It  was  one 
of  our  most  wonderful  victories.  But  our  work  was  not  yet 
done.  "We  must  attend  to  the  force  on  the  south  side  of  the 
river.  The  morning  dawn  found  us  marching  on  a  foot-bridge 
constructed  over  the  soutli  branch  of  the  IShenandoah,  and 
down  the  south  bank  of  the  river.  Gener.il  Jackson,  as  usual, 
was  leading  us.  It  was  venturing  a  great  deal  to  attack  this 
force  of  the  enemy.  They  were  not  so  numerous  as  we,  but 
there  were  at  least  two,  and,  I  believe,  three  brigades  of  in- 
fantry, besides  cavalry  and  artillery.  AVe  4nust  light  theiUj 
too,  in  a  narrow  bottom,  between  the  river  and  the  mountain. 
And  if  the  enemy  towards  Ilai-risoiiburg  should  return,  they 
could  take  the  first  position  we  had  on  Sunday  morning,  and 
compel  us  to  yield.  ]3nt  '  nothing  venture,  nothing  win  ;'  so 
we  go  ahead.  We  saw  the  eft'ects  of  our  lire  the  da}'  before. 
Dead  and  wounded  Yankees  lay  along  the  road,  and  the  trees 
and  houses  were  badly  torn  by  the  balls.  This  was  but  the 
ante-chamber.      AVe  would   soon   enter   ujjon    more  horrible 


SKETCHES.  91 

scenes.  Our  regiment,  with  the  second,  passed  under  the  tire 
of  the  enemy's  cannon  into  the  mountain  side.  We  climbed 
back  and  forth  over  ridi::es  and  tlirough  tlic  thick  tangled 
brush,  till  we  were  worn  out.  We  were  once  very  close  to 
the  enemy's  camion  on  tlio  mountain  side,  and  thought  our 
duty  was  to  charge  it.  But  no,  we  must  march  back,  while 
General  Taylor's  Louisiana  brigade  advanced  to  this  work. 
Tliey  did  it  nobly ;  took  the  enemy's  battery,  thougli  they 
were  forced  to  give  it  up;  but  it  was  retaken,  however,  after- 
wards. We  marched  to  the  rear,  and  were  left  there  till  we 
heard  the  shouts  of  our  boys  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  The 
issue  of  the  day  long  hung  in  doubt.  Our  m(?n  were  several 
times  repulsed,  and  the  cheers  of  the  enemy,  with  the  evil 
reports  of  some  of  our  own  men,  made  us  fear  the  worst.  But 
we  put  our  trust  in  God,  and  felt  confident  of  success.  Soon 
our  hopes  were  realized.  The  enemy  was  in  full  retreat, 
which  became  in  a  few  minutes  a  perfect  rout.  Eight  or  nine 
pieces  of  artillery,  almost' if  not  all  they  had,  were  taken. 
Their  ambulances,  with  their  loads  of  wounded,  were  left  to 
fall  into  our  hands,  and  hundreds  of  men  and  arms  were  cap- 
tured. The  work  was  well  and  completely  done.  We  ])ur- 
sued  them  seven  or  eight  miles.  But  tlie  enemy  were  on  our 
side,  and  if  we  followed  farther  they  would  sliell  us  as  we 
returned.  We  came  back,  tiicrefore,  in  the  woods,  on  the 
mountain  side,  to  conceal  us  from  the  enemy,  who  were  now 
on  the  opposite  bank  of  the  river,  then  struck  a  road  leading 
to  the  turnpike  across  Brown's  Gap,  and  at  one  o'clock  tluit 
night  I  dropped  my  weary  limbs  on  the  top  of  tlie  Blue  Ilidge, 
at  the  cornor  of  old  Albemarle.  Wc  had  now  escaped  the 
enemy's  reach,  and  left  both  portions  of  their  army  defeated. 
Wc  are  now  in  a  position  where  we  can  rest  in  safety,  or 
move  in  any  direction  we  choose.  Tlie  enemy  have  not 
crossed  the  river  at  Port  Republic.  General  Jackson  liad  the 
bridge  burned  to  prevent  thoin  from  getting  behind  and  pur- 
suincT  him. 


:<*J  SKiriCllEH. 

"I  consider  these  two  victories  by  far  the  most  wonderful 
he  lias  gained.  The  enemy  formed  a  concerted  plan  to  catch 
and  destroy  our  wliole  army.  General  Shields  had  sent  two 
hrigades  of  his  division  up  the  south  bank  of  the  Shenandoah. 
He,  I  think,  joined  Fremont  in  the  Valley,  and  was  in  tho 
fight  on  Sunday.  C4eneral  Tyler  commanded  them  on  Mon- 
day. Tlieir  whole  plan  was  foiled,  all  of  our  baggage  was 
saved,  both  portions  of  their  army  driven  back,  and  much  of 
their  artillery,  Avith  many  ])risoners,  was  taken.  In  the  man- 
agement of  this  aftair  (reneral  Jackson  has  shown  great  skill; 
while  at  the  same  time  Providence  has  aided  him  in  a  most 
wondei-ful  manner.  Had  the  enemy  returned  from  Harrison- 
burg three  hours  sooner,  they  would  almost  certainly  have 
compelled  us  to  retreat  with  great  loss,  and  turned  our  victory 
into  a  defeat.  But  God  guides  our  General,  and  enables  him 
to  venture  much,  to  run  great  risks,  and  yet  to  gain  the  most 
brilliant  successes.  Let  praise  be  given  to  His  great  name  for 
His  recent  favors  to  ns. 

"You  have  heard,  of  course,  of  Colonel  Ashby's  death.  He 
was  killed  in  a  heavy  skirmish  near  Harrisonburg,  on  Friday 
evening.  A  most  noble  sacrifice  to  onr  holy  cause.  It  is  felt 
by  US  all  as  a  personal  alfiiction.  Tho  sun  shines  brightly  to- 
day, and  all  is  cheerful  in  cam])."' 

After  this  battle,  they  rest  near  Wier's  Cave  for  a  few  days, 
and  he  writes  to  his  mother  thus: 

"  We  are  to-day  near  AVicr's  Cave,  and  encamped  in  a  beau- 
tiful grove,  greatly  enjoying  rest  in  the  shade.  •  Yesterday 
afternoon  a  party  of  us  visited  the  cave.  It  was  a  delightful 
recreation,  especially  to  those  accustomed  to  the  hard  service 
of  the  soldier.  It  made  us  feel  as  though  it  would  be  possible 
once  more  to  lead  a  quiet  and  civil  life,  and  take  part  in  the 
]»astimes  which  make  such  a  life  happy.  AVc  then  took  a  roll 
in  the  Shenandoah,  and  returned  fo  camp  clean  and  in  good 
spirits.      A   good  night's  sleep  has  almost  prepared   us   for 


SKETCHES.  93 

another  of  General  Jackson's  tremendous  flank  movements. 
Onr  present  encampment  is  too  pleasant  for  ns  to  expect  to 
remain  in  it  long,  and  we  confidently  expect  the  order  to 
marcli  very  soon ;  but  in  what  direction,  or  to  wliat  point,  no 
one  can  tell.  All  are  willing,  however,  to  go  wherever  Gen- 
eral Jackson  bids;  liaving  implicit  confidence  not  only  in  his 
integrity  and  fearless  courage,  but  also  in  his  skillful  general- 
ship. His  recent  success  has  greatly  increased  our  admiration 
for  him.  The  campaign  was  splendidly  conducted.  lie  not 
only  extricated  his  whole  army  from  a  trap  skillfully  set  for 
him,  but  defeated  one  portion  of  their  army,  holding  the  other 
in  check  at  the  same  time,  and  on  the  next  day  utterly  routed 
the  second  portion,  caj)turing  nearly  all  their  artillery,  five  or 
six  hundred  prisoners,  bringing  all  off  safely  before  the  first 
could  sutficiently  recover  from  the  shock  to  attack  us.  Yes, 
the  whole  North-Western  army  conspired  to  catch  and  destrov 
our  General  and  his  troops,  but  it  signally  failed.  It  is  true,  at 
one  time  they  had  surrounded  us.  In  their  own  favorite  lan- 
guage, they 'had  us  in  the  bag;'  but  then  they  had  no  man 
braVe  or  skillful  enough  to  tie  the  bag  and  hold  us  in.  Mv 
warmest  love  to  all  at  home.     How  I  long  to  see  you." 

lie  wrote  to  his  father,  urging  him  to  visit  the  army: 

"I  think  you  will  enjoy  the  visit,  and  you  know  it  will  be  a 
rich  treat  to  me.  I  greatly  desire  to  see  you  again.  Xuthing, 
certainly,  but  a  clear  and  strong  conviction  of  duty,  with  an 
approving  conscience,  could  keep  me  contented  in  this  ]iainful 
separation  from  the  dearest  earthly  objects.  But  when  death 
comes  near,  as  it  does  so  often  here,  it  brings  the  Christian  so 
near  to  God  and  heaven — the  centre  around  which  he  liopes 
to  meet  those  he  loves  bebt — that  he  almost  forgets  his  tempo- 
rary absence  from  earthly  home  and  friends.  The  parental 
threshold,  and  especially  the  family  altar,  are  certainly  very 
dear,  but  0114 true  home  is  in  heaven. 

"  Our  cunijiany  still  acts  as  body-guard  iv  the  General. 
Our  situation  is  very  pleasant.     We  are  relieved  from  many 


94  SKKTCHES. 

things  tliat  used  to  annoy  "s  ;  and  a  fine  band  often  rea^alcs  us 
witli  its  music.  We  have  also  some  leisure  time  for  reading 
such  books  and  tracts  as  we  can  get,  and  for  enjoying  tlie 
society  of  each  other  and  of  friends  from  a  distance,  who  fre- 
quently call  on  us.  I  sometimes  fear  I  shall  not  only  become 
contented,  but  even  pleased  with  this  mode  of  life.  I  used  to 
wonder  how  one  could  choose  the  life  of  a  soldier.  I  thought 
its  dangers  and  hardships  would  make  it  irksome  in  the  ex- 
treme. But  we  quickly  become  accustomed  to  these  things, 
while  the  excitement  of  an  active  campaign  imparts  pleasure, 
which  is  much  enhanced  by  a  firm  conviction  of  the  justice  of 
the  cause  for  which  we  struggle.  I  feel  now  that  if  taken 
back  to  my  former  quiet  life,  it  would  be,  at  least  for  a  time, 
somewhat  irksome.  And,  indeed,  did  not  the  ministry,  witli 
its  most  blessed  work,  hold  the  supreme  place  in  my  heart,  I 
could  be  a  soldier  for  life.  JBut  as  my  former  desire  to  ]u-each 
has  not  been  weakened,  but  rather  increased  l>y  my  experience 
in  the  army,  I  am  exceedingly  anxious  to  close  this  life  and  en- 
ter upon  that.  When  1  shall  be  gratified,  I  cannot  tell.  God, 
who  has  manifested  himself  in  the  storm  wliicli  has  broTcen 
over  onr  country,  and  now  rages  around  us,  must  bring  us 
peace  again.  If  lie  does  not,  men  on  both  sides  will  become 
worse  and  worse,  and  war  cannot  end.  The  humble  prayers 
of  God's  people  can  do  much  more  to  end  it  than  all  the  bul- 
lets and  bayonets  of  our  soldiers.  And  while  it  lasts,  the 
former  alone  can  make  the  latter  successful. 

"If  you  coine  to  see  us,  bring  us  some  tracts  and  testa- 
ments. I  can  readily  find  persons  who  are  more  than  willing 
to  receive  tlioin.  Any  one  would  be  surju-Ised  to  find  how 
welcome  he  will  be  on  a  visit  of  Christian  love  to  the  tents  of 
the  soldiers.  They  M'ill  listen  to  his  words,  and  thank  him  for 
any  manifestation  of  love  for  tlieir  souls.  I  wish  I  could  do 
more  of  what  conscience  bids  me  do,  and  what  I  know  there 
is  so  much  joy  in  doing.  AVliy  should  so  little  1#  <lone  in  the 
army  for  the  eternal   interests  of  the  men?     CIiai)lains  are 


• 


SKETCHES.  95 

scarce,  and  the  few  avIio  are  here  are  so  restricted  in  their 
salaries  that  they  cajinot  delVa)'  expenses. 

"I  hope  and  pray  that  your  visit  h^-e  may  not  only  gratify 
the  longings  of  a  son's  heart,  and  the  wishes  of  many  true 
friends,  but  also  do  much  to  excite  Christians  to  greater  activ- 
ity and  awaken  the  impenitent  to  a  sense  of  their  sin  and 
misery.  If  Christians  w'ere  only  as  prayerful  and  active  as 
they  should  be,  how  much  good  might  we  not  expect  to  result. 
Nearly  one-half  of  our  company  are  professing  Christians;  and 
in  our  regiment  I  know  there  is  a  very  strong  religious  ele- 
ment, which,  if  active,  might  restrain  nnich  sin  and  promote 
very  much  the  cause  of  Christ. 

"Several  letters  have  just  been  received  from  various  mem- 
bers of  our  family.  They  are  a  rich  treat.  These  are  visits 
from  those  I  love,  which  revive  my  spirit  when  drooping,  and 
heighten  my  joy  if  they  find  me  happy.  Your  contemplated 
visit  to  brother  George  M'ill  be  very  delightful.  I  am  sure  it 
has  been  a  source  of  joy  to  our  Synod  to  welcome  back  some 
of  the  loyal  sons  of  Virginia  who  have  fled  from  the  land  of 
tyranny  and  oppression. 

'•When  you  have  an  opportunity,  remember  me,  with  great 
affection  to  the  Professors  in  our  Seminary;  and  to  any  other 
friends  with  whom  you  may  meet. 

"Your  aflectionate  son, 

hth;h." 

TO    HIS    eiHTKR,    MRS.    M'cRUit. 

"  Our  life,  at  present,  is  so  much  better  than  it  has  been  for 
several  months  that  we  are  having  a  delightful  time.  It  is 
true,  the  sky  is  our  roof,  and  the  earth  our  bed,  but  then  it 
don't  rain,  and  we  are  iK»t  marching;  and  when  a  box  comes 
in  from  home,  we  live  and  feel  like  i)rinces.  I  am  sorry  that 
father  could  not  visit  us,  but  hope  he  will  still  do  so.  He  will 
feel  quite  at  home  at  General  Jackson's  headquarters,  with 
the  General   and  Dr.  Dabney.     The  latter  is  very  bnsv,  but 


i*G  8KETCHK8. 

preaches  whenever  lie  lias  an  opportunity.  I  hoard  hitn  last 
Saturday,  then  twice  on  the  Sabhatli,  when  about  two  hun- 
dred soldiers  received  t^  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  at 
his  hands.  This  was  a  spiritual  feast  indeed.  The  religious 
element  in  our  company  is  very  strong;  sufficient,  I  hope,  to 
control  all  other  elements,  and  give  tone  to  the  whole  body. 
We  hold  a  brief  meeting  every  night,  just  after  roll  call.  The 
man  whose  turn  it  is  stands  up,  while  the  rest  stand  around 
him.  He  reads  a  chapter,  sometimes  sings  a  hymn,  then  leads 
in  prayer.  There  is  some  ])rofanity,  but  this  is  lessening. 
Why  should  not  the  army  be  a  school  for  the  reformation  of 
the  wicked?  Such  it  has  j)roved  to  J.  W,  and  J,  R.  They 
are  now  perfectly  sober  men  and  good  soldiers.  I  am  much 
gratified  at  the  accounts  I  receive  of*  your  prayer-meetings 
held  in  our  behalf.  The  prayers  of  those  at  home  greatly 
Btren«i:then  and  encoura<i:e  us  in  the  armv.  I  will  endeavor  to 
remember  you  all  at  your  hours  of  j)rayer.  Yet  we  are  so 
drawn  about  fi'om  one  place  and  emj)lovment  to  anotiier  that 
I  liave  scarcely  a  moment  for  connected,  sol)er  thought.  As 
for  instance,  to-day  I  have  been  soldier,  cook,  and  washer- 
wmnati.  Around  me,  as  I  write,  some  are  cleaning  their  guns, 
others  are  putting  away  the  remnant  of  our  diimer,  some  are 
washing  plates,  and  some  are  trying  to  sleep.  I  am  sittmg  on 
my  knapsack,  with  a  tin  pan  as  my  writing  desk.  I  write  a 
sentence  and  have  to  stop  to  do  something  or  to  talk  to  some 
one.  Yet  amid  all  this  commotion  my  thoughts  keep  their 
direction  homeward.  Like  the  needle,  they  may  be  changed 
a  little  by  the  objects  near  me,  but  they  soon  turn  again  to- 
wards the  home  circle  and  hover  around  .the  much  loved  ])lace. 

"  I  saw as  I  passed  through  W.  lately,  dressed  out  in  a 

fine  suit.  A  man  in  fine  clothes  now  is  an  offence.  But  he  is 
excusable,  as  he  is  not  fit  to  be  in  the  army." 

They  were  not  permitted  to  remain  long  at  their  delightful 
encampment  near  Wier's  Cave.  Tliey  crossed  the  Blue  Ridge 
at  Rockfish  Ga]).     On  reaching  Charlottesville  he  became  very 


SKETCHES.  97 

unwell,  so  much  so  that  at  the  earnest  persuasion  of  friends 
and  with  the  consent  of  the  surgeon,  he  determined  to  leave 
his  company  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  G.  B.  Strickler,  and 
made  a  very  unexpected  visit  to  Lexington.  His  health  was 
not  seriously  impaired,  but  his  flesh  was  wasted  and  his 
strength  exhausted  by  the  toils  and  privations  of  the  ])reced- 
ing  three  months.  .  A\^ithin  a  less  period  than  that  he  had 
marched  four  hundred  miles,  and  been  engaged  in  five  battles, 
besides  several  combats.  When  lie  left  his  company  at  Char- 
lottesvillp  he  was  wholly  ignorant  of  its  destination  ;  but  soon 
after  reaching  home,  he  became  convinced  that  the  army  was 
on  its  way  to  Richmond.  He  was,  wjth  great  difHculty,  in- 
duced to  remain  until  the  tidings  came  that  the  fighting  around 
Richmond  had  actually  commenced.  Then  neither  friends  nor 
physicians  could  prevail  with  him  to  remain  another  day. 
When  he  heard  of  the  part  his  company  acted  in  the  famous 
charge  at  Gaines'  Mill,  under  the  command  of  Li'eut.  Strickler, 
he  became  greatly  excited,  and  said:  "All  the  money  in  the 
world  could  not  .compensate  me  for  the  pain  I  feel  at  not 
being  with  them.  But  if  they  only  conquer,  this  will  moderate 
my  sorrow;"  then  hurrying  away,  he  reached  the  field  just  in 
time  to  discover  that  they  had  conquered.  The" first  of  that 
series  of  memorable  battles,  tluit  at  Mechanicsville,  was  fougfct 
on  the  birth-place  of  his  father,  and  that  at  Ellyson's  Mill  in 
full  view  of  the  cemetery  where  the  remains  of  his  ancestry 
had  been  buried  for  more  than  one  hundred  and  sixty  years. 
"I  fouglit,"  said  a  descendant  of  the  same  ancestry,  and  of  the 
same  name,  "  in  sight  of  my  fatlicr's  grave."  AVell  might  he 
have  added,  they  have  not  only  invaded  my  native  State,  and 
sought  to  rob  us  of  our  homes,  but  their  missiles  of  death  have 
broken  down  the  inclosure,  and  plowed  up  the  earth  around 
and  over  the  graves  of  my  fathers.  Some  of  those  ancestors 
were  among  the  l)rightcst  ornan'ients  of  the  old  Hanover 
Presbyterian  Church,  under  the  pastoral  chai-ge  of  Samuel 
Davies. 

15}     ■ 


1*8  !<KETCHEt<; 

In  that  desperate  fijjjhtinp:.  the  younsjfest  brotlier  of  Captain 
White — so  often  Avritten  to  or  mentioned  in  these  letters — a 
vonth  then  not  seventeen  years  of  age,  took  an  active  part. 
No  language  can  express  the  emotions  kindled  in  the  heart  of 
the  father  by  the  thought  of  such  fighting,  around  such  a  place, 
by  such  a  boy.  And  the  tear  starts  now  at  the  rcmombrance 
of  that  venerable  mansion,  in  which  the  f<^undor8  of  tlio  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  Eastern  Virginia  were  wont  often  to  meet 
for  consultation  and  ])rayer,  now  all  j-i<ldlcd  with  cannon  balls, 
thrown  in  part,  no  doubt,  by  Presbyterian  hands.  '*F:itlu'r, 
forgive  them,  they  know  not  what  t^iey  do." 

During  his  visit  to  his  friends,  he  wrote  to  his  aunt,  ^Irs. 
Hutchinson,  of  Mom'oe :  "  You  will  be  surprised  to  receive  a 
letter  from  me  written  at  home.  I  rejoiced  to  find  myself  in 
the  warm  embrace  of  my  mother,  on  Sunday  m'ght.  Two 
days  before,  I, was  with  the  army  on  its  march  through  Albe- 
marle, with  no  idea  of  leaving,  though  I  was  much  reduced  in 
strength  by  sickness  and  the  hard  service  of  several  months 
past.  Brother  James,  wiio  was  with  us  for  s6veral  days,  urged 
me  to  stop,  and  readily  securing  the  surgeon's  permission,  I 
'  yielded  and.  came  home.  The  joy  of  getting  here,  and  the 
rest  of  a  few  days,  have  refreshed  me  very" much,  and  I  hope 
soon  to  return  to  ni}'  ])lace  in  the  army.  .  It  is  really  ]>ainful  to 
be  absent,  to  be  lying  at  ease  here,  in  the  lap  of  Fuxut}',  while 
others,  my  comrades,  are  bearing  the  burden  of  the  service,  or 
perhaps  struggling  with  our  enemies.  I  would  not  remain  at 
home  now,  for  any  consideration.  Our  army  seems  to  be  mak- 
ing its  way  to  Kichmond.  The  great  struggle  there  must 
come  off  soon.  McClelUm  cannot  abandon  the  elfort  without 
a  battle.  Tlie  ])eople  of  Richmond  are  calm  and  full  of  confi- 
dence, resulting,  I  believe,  from  their  trust  in  God.  How  I 
long  to  sec  our  army  burst  the  chains  which  bind  our  State, 
and  set  her  free  once  more. 

"  Gen.  Jackson's  efforts  in  the  valley,  his  terrible  blows  upon 
the  enemy,  falling  so  fast  and  with  such  slaughter,  have  stun- 
ned and  driven  them  back,  while  the  people  have  regained . 


SKETCHES.  i>0 

their  confidence  and  cast  ^leir  fears  awa3\  "We  hear  that 
Fremont  and  Shields  have  left  the  valley  for  Eastern  Virginia. 
If  this  be  true,  the  upper  valley  will  be  free  from  their  hateful 
presence.  But  unless  we  can  whip  them  badly  at  Richmond, 
this  part  of  the  State  will  still  be  exposed  to  th6ir  ravages." 

Duiing  the  same  visit,  he  Avrote  to  liis  brother  Henry  : 

"  All  the  delights  of  home  cannot  make  one  rest  satisfied 
when  a  battle  is  imminent  wln'ch  may  decide  the  fate  of  his 
country,  and  in  wliich  his  comrades  will  take  ])art.  I  wish  the 
battle  at  Richmond  could  take  place  at  once,  but  would  be 
'very  sorry  to  be  absent.  Not  that  I  have  become  indifferent 
to  cannon  balls  or  fond, of  danger.  Safety  is  more  to  my  taste, 
but  you  understand  my  feelings.  I  only  hope  and  pray  that 
Gen.  Jackson  may  be  as  richly  blessed  at  Richmond  as  he  has 
been  elsewlierc.  I  do  believe  that  God  has  him  in  His  special 
favor,  and  guides  him  in  air  his  course.  Otherwise  he  could 
not  run  such  risks  in  safety,  and  gain  the  most  brilliant  suc- 
cesses, when  circumstances  make  defeat  and  ruin  seem  so 
inevitable.  May  the  same  divine  hand  continue  to  preserve 
and  blese  him."  He  adds:  "I  long  for  the  time  when  I  can 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  home  in  peace.  But  for  the  present, 
my  duty  and  liappiness  are  in  the  army.  God  bless  you  in 
your  glorious  work,  as  a  minister  of  the  Gospel."  , 

On  another  occasion  he  writes  to  tlic  same  brother* 

"  Rest  satisfied  tlicrefore  that  dut}- ])ids  , you  stay  at  liome  ; 
mine  is  to  remain  in  the  army-,  and  I  am  willing  to  do  it  for 
the  glorious  cause  in  M'liich  our  young  Confederacy  is  engaged. 
If  we  give  up,  everytliing  is  lost.  If  we  struggle  on,  endure 
hardships,  exert  our  utmost  stre/igth,  and  put  our  trust  in  God, 
who  has  so  far  been  very  gracious  to  us,  we  may  liope  after  a 
while  to  taste  tlic  most  blessed  fruits  from  these  present  dis- 
tresses. 


100  SKETCHES. 

"My  chief  source  of  sorrow  is,  that  I  can  do  so  little,  or 
rather  that  I  do  so  little  for  the  cause  of  my  Saviour.  Father 
seems  to  think  the  army  a  glorious  field  for  usefulness.  To 
him,  douhtlefes  it  would  be.  But  what  have  I  done?  I  hope 
my  influence  for  good  has  been  felt  in  our  own  company — but 
'to  how  little  extent!  I  can  only  look  to  God  to  give  me  the 
licart  to  work,  and  then  open  up  paths  of  usefulness  for  me. 
If  I  really  wish  to  do  good  in  the  world,  it  must  become  a  sub- 
ject of  constant  study,  followed  by  ceaseless  etibrt.  I  am  very 
glad  to  hear  that  you  are  so  comfortably  situated.  You  have 
nothing  now  to  hinder  you  from  doing  much  good.  May  God 
grant  j'ou  this  great  ])rivilege.  It  is  a  pleasing  subject  o^ 
thought  to  me,  especially  on  the  Sabbath,  that  father,  two 
brotlieis  and  a  cousin  are  all  preaching  the  gospel.  I  do  not 
forget  to  pray  for  you.  May  I  soon  be  permitted  to  join  the 
number,  and  give  my  energies  to  the  same  good  work." 

Having  reached  his  post  just  after  the  defeat  of  McClellan, 
he  wrote  to  his  father  from  below  Ilichmond  : 

"Bkf/)W  Richmond,  July  3, 18()2. 

"My  Deak  Father:  I  sent  word  to  Dr.  Brown  this  morning, 
who  had  promised  to  forward  the  news  to  you  all,4hat  all  of 
my  company  were  safe.  This  is  due  oidy  to  the  merciful  pro- 
tection of  God.  They  have  been  in  two  of  the  most  important 
and  blot)dy  battles  fought  during  the  past  week — on  Friday 
and  Tuesday.  The  fighting  was  desperate,  and  their  esca])e  is 
very  wonderful.  T.  was  in  the  battle  on  Friday,  but  has  fallen 
back  sick. 

"Yesterday  and  to-da}'^  a  calm  has  rested  on  the  bloody 
field,  broken  only  by  an  occasional  discharge  of  cannon,  heard 
afar  oft"  in  the  direction  of  James  River.  The  enemy  is  on 
the  banks  of  the  river,  if  he  has  crossed,  as  is  the  report. 
Their  army  must  be  greatly  weakened  and  demoralized.  Many 
of  the  prisoners  rej)re6ent  their  soldiers  as  broken-spirited, 
rebellious,  and  ready  to  desert.     Yet  McClellan  still  has  a  large 


SKETCHES.  lOi 

force,  and  if  reinforced  b}'-  Shields  and  Fremont,  may  attempt 
to  move  np  the  south  side  of  the  river.  But  he  can  riever 
have  so  fair  a  prospect  of  taking  Richmond  as  he  had  before. 
He  possessed  every  advantage  in  the  late  battles.  He  had 
Nvorked  hard  for  twelve  montlis,  had  raised  an  immense  army 
and  equipped  his  troops  in  the  best  manner  possible.  He  caine 
within  sight  of  the  great  prize,  and  fortified  himself  strongly 
in  the  faces  of  our  men.  We  made  the  attack  on  liis  own  ])o- 
sitions,  drove  him  from  every  one,  capturing  thousands  of  his 
men,  nearly  one  hundred  pieces  of  artillery,  and  killing  two  of 
his  men  to  the  loss  of  one  on  our  sidt?.  Ought  not  this  to  be 
regarded  as  decisive  ?  Can  they  ask  any  fairer,  fuller  test  ? 
The  truth  is,  their  soldiers  are  not  actuated  by  the  spirit  which 
animates  ours.  They  can  make  a  grand  show,  blow  their 
trumpets,  and  bluster  about  tlieir  flag,  but  are  quick  to  choose 
between  defeat  and  death.  Considering  what  they  have  at 
stake,  the  former  is  far  the  better  of  the  two.  But  it  is  not  so 
witli  us.     Our  earthly  all  is  at  stake. 

"  Best  love  to  all  at  home.     I  feel  far  better  contented  now 
•  that,  I  am  at  my  post  again,  although  my  heart  longs  to  be  at 
home  in  peace.  Your  aftectionate  son, 

HUGH." 

And  when  tlie  army  moved  nearer  to  Richmond  lie  wrote 
as  follows : 

"Glenwood,  July  14,  1862. 

"  My  Dear  Fatuer  :  T.  and  I  have  been  as  much  at  home  for 
several  days  past  as  we  could  be  anywhere,  except  in  Lexington. 
Our  brigade  is  encamped  on  uncle  Hugh's  farm,  within  a  few 
hundred  yards  of  his  house,  and  I  have  been  permitted  to 
spend  my  nij2;hts  and  take  my  meals  here.  I  found  T.  liere, 
and  he  remained  until  yesterday,  when  he  obtained  leave  to 
make  a  shorX  visit  to  our  relatives  at  Hilly  Farm  in  Hanover. 
His  health  has  improved,  and  th(»ugh  not  firm  enough  to  en- 
dure a  severe  campaign,  he  is  comparatively  well.     I  think  he 


102  RKETCHES. 

lia«l  ])ottcr  remain  with  ns  and  make  a  tliinl  trial  of  his 
streii^'th.  If  he  breaks  down  ai!:aiu,  he  can  then  apply  for  a 
transfer  to  the  cavalry  service.  This  I  am  \ery  reluctant  for 
him  to  do,  unless  it  becomes  necessary.  My  own  health  is 
perfectly  good,  and  I  am  fattening  and  strengthening  daily. 

"  I  had  much  pleasure  in  seeing  my  relatives  iu  and  around 
Richmond.  Uucle  Hugh  and  aunt  Ann  have  been  very  kind, 
doing,  indeed,  just  what  makes  me  feel  most  happy — making 
me  feel  perfectly  at  home. 

"Yesterday  I  went  to  Richmond  in  uncle  Hugh's  carriage, 
and  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing  Dr.  Hoge  preach.  I  enjoyed 
the  service  greatly.  Gen.  Jackson  was  present,  and  imino- 
diately  after  the  benediction,  all  eyes  were  turned  upon  him, 
and  the  crowd  gathered  uncomfortably  close  about  him.  The 
General  seemed  uneasy,  realh'^  appeared  confused,  pushed  for 
the  door,  and  vanished  almost  in  an  instant.  I  could  but.  smile 
to  see  him  fairly  conquered  and  made  to  run. 

"  I  se'e  in  this  country  no  such  ghastly  ligurc  as  famine, 
which  many  seem  to  think  walks  abroad,  making  all  the  people 
as  ghost-like  as  itself.  Nor  is  disease  as  prevalent  as  was  ex- 
pected. Though  we  are  near  the  Chickahominy  Swamp,  we 
are  on  its  south  side,  and  the  atmosphere  is  as  pure,  while  as 
delightful  a  breeze  is  now  stirring,  as  I  ever  felt  in  the  moun- 
tains. Your  devoted  son, 

HUGH." 

TO    niS    Al'NT,    MRS.    H. 

/ 

"  AVith  mountain  l)arriers  all  around  you,  I  suppose  y<>u  feel 
quite  safe  from  Northern  bayonets. 

"The  token  of  remembrance,  inclosed  in  your  letter,  took 
me  quite  by  surprise.  I,  of  course,  thank  you  most  heartily  for 
it,  and  accept  it  as  a  new  evidence  that  you  still  remember  me 
with  affection.  In  this  view  I  prize  it  highly.  But  do  not 
inuigine  that  the  war  has  impoverished  me.  Thi^it  cannot  do. 
I  hud  nothing  before  the  war,  and  hence  I  am  entirely  safe  in 
this  respect.     I  have  neither  houses  nor  lands  nor  money  to 


SKETCHES.  103 

trouble  me;  and  if  it  were  not  that  my  friends  are  ten'ified  for 
their  own  safety  and  that  of  tlieir  goods,  I  should  be  as  inde- 
pendent and  free  from  apprehension,  as  the  wild  Indian  who 
calls  all  the  hills  his  own. 

"  But  though  I  have  been  thus  far  fi^Il  of  hope,  and  perhaps 
m^re  cheerful  than  was  proper,  in  a  time  so  full  of  suffering, 
yet  I  confess  that  the  late  success  of  the  enemy  in  the  west 
has  saddened,  though  it  has  not  disheartened  me.  But  I  will 
not  censure,  lest  I  betray  my  ignorance.  It  is  much  better  to 
provide  for  the  future  than  to  grieve  over  the  past.  And  if 
reverses  destroy  that  self-confidence  in  which  we  had  wra])ped 
ourselves,  and  lead  us  to  gird  on  afresh  the  weapons  of  war, 
they  may  prove  a  blessing  in  the  end.  I  am  exceedingly 
anxious  to  remain  in  the  army  until  the  struggle  is  over.  If 
conscience  would  permit,  most  gladly  would  I  enlist  for  the 
war.  'But  if  the  pulpifs  are  vacant,  the  countr/  is  lost.  I 
must  therefore,  if  possi\|le,  return  to  the  Seminary  in  the  fall. 
1  will  remain,  however,  ^n  the  army  until  that  time,  and  if  the 
skies  are  any  bright'or,  and  1  am  alive,  I  will  resume  my  course 
of  preparation  for  the  ministry.  In  this  work  I  desire  to  live 
and  die. 

"  I  see  something  in  the  camp  to  admire,  and  something  to 
censure,  but,  in  the  main,  my  belief  in  the  doctrine  of  total 
depravity  is  confirmed  and  strengthened.  I  am  glad,  however, 
to  say,  that  in  our  company  I  can  see  no  increase  of  any  form 
of  sin.  Only  pne  or  two  ever  swear,  and  I  have  never  seen 
one  intoxicated.  The  Bible  ^is  the  constant  companion  of 
nearly  all,  and  several,  I  think,  would  make  a  profession  of 
religion  if  the  opportunity  were  offered." 

On  another  occasion  he  writes  «  "  We  are  cheeiiul.  But 
this  does  not  arise  from  forgetting  our  homes,  nor  from  indif- 
ference to  what  is  to  come,  but  from  a  calm  purpose  to  meet 
and  bear  the  worst.  There  are  rumors  of  peace.  Should  the 
North  return  to  reason,  their  mad  career  be  checked,  and 
peace  smile  upon  our  Southern  Confederacy,  it  will  be  another 


104  SKETCHES. 

of  the  wonders  which  God  is  working  in  the  world  at  this 
time.  Xations  crnnible  in  an  instant,"  and  from  their  ruins 
others  arise  as  quickly.  May  a  merciful  God  work  tills  mira- 
cle of  deliverance  for  us.  God  only  can  do  this,  and  send  as 
back  to  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  civil  life.  It  would  i^ive  me 
great  joy  to  carry  out  tne  cherished  plans  of  my  life  which  are 
now  suspended.  I  wish  to  preach  the  Gospel.  Any  other 
occupation  would  be  pursued  only  as  an  affliction.  Yet  other 
pursuits  are  inevitable  now." 

He  was  ever  considerate,  in  a  remarkable  degree,  of  his 
mother's  comfort.  One  of  his  chief  sources  of  anxiety  at  the 
approach  of  a  battle,  was  that  she  might  be  prepared  for  her 
sad  share  in  its  results.  He  would  write  to  her  beforehand, 
to  prepare  her  for  it.  On  the  eve  of  one  of  the  most  desper- 
ate of  the  oight  battles,  in  which  he  i)ove  an  active  part,  he 
wrote  her  a  letter  full  of  the  tenderest  filial  love,  and  express- 
ive of  the  strongest  faith.  He  concludes  this  letter  in  these 
words:  "Motiier,  don't  be  anxious  about  jTie.  I  have  a  sweet 
assurance  that  my  soul  is  safe,  and  as  to  my  body,  that  is  only 
dust." 

And  then  when  the  battle  was  over,  his  tirst  effort  was  to 
find  time  to  communicate  the  intelligence  of  his  safety  to  all 
at  iiome ;  and  a  form  of  expression  he  used  on  such  occasions 
was  this,  "  May  the  anxious  heart  of  my  devoted  mother  now 
be  comforted."  Truly,  his  was  the  heart,  and  the  tongue,  and 
the  life,  of  a  devoted  son,  j 

TO    A    FRIKND    ANH    CLASSMATE, 

"Your  letter  was  received  yesterday,  and  read  with  pleasure 
and  ])rofit.  The  account  yen  give  of  your  religious  experience 
agrees  so  well  with  my  own  that  I  could  but  feel  the  warmest 
sympathy  for  you  in  your  struggles  with  unbelief  and  fear. 
Yes,  when  sin  separates  us  from  God,  heaviness  and  gloom 
must  oppress  us.  We  would  give  the  whole  world,  were  it 
ours,  for  one  smile   from   our   Heavenly  Father's  face.     But 


SKETCHES.  10.5 

while  we  thus  suffer,  Jcsns  stands  with  open  arras  to  receive 
us,  if  we  will  but  trust  ourselves  in  his  hands.  It  is  unspeaka- 
bly precious  to  exercise  trust  in  God — in  his  grace,  his  power 
and  his  promises^  The  little  child,  when  frightened,  flees  to 
its  mother's  arms,  and  in  a  motnent,  its  fears  are  gone,  and  it 
sleeps  securely  on  that  mother's  bosom.  Thus  we,  timid  chil- 
dren, of  little  faith,  should  flee  to  Christ.  Why  may  we  not 
do  this  at  all  times  ?  Unwillingness  to  do  it  is  alike  displeas- 
ing to  God,  and  disquieting  to  us.  Christ  lias  endured  the 
wratli  of  God  due  to  us  for  sin.  How  bitter  was  the  cup  h§ 
drank  for  us.  Yet  lie  drauk  it  all.  He  endured  tlic  curse  for 
us,  so  that  we  have  no  part  of  it  to  endure.  Then  let  us 
neither  doubt  nor  fear.  We  cannot  make  ourselves  holy.  Sin 
is  all  that  we  can  call  our  own.  Holiness  is  the  gift,  the  free 
gift  of  God,  through  Jesus  Christ.  Let  us  accept  that  gift, 
and  all  the  powers  of  earth  and  hell  cannot  prevail  against  us. 
Agreement  in  these  great  matters  unites  us  tenderly  together. 
Therefore  write  about  them,  and  we  will  endeavor  to  prove 
helpful  to  each  other  in  this  warfare." 

TO   THE   SAME. 

"The  recoUectiou  of  the  scenes  passed  at  college  is  pleasant, 
and  yet  there  are  mingled  with  it  some  things  which  cause  no 
little  sorrow.  It  is  the  thought  that  days,  and  weeks,  and  years 
arc  flying  away  and  hurrying  us  on  to  the  judgment,  while  I 
am  doing  so  little  to  prepare  for  that  great  da}'.  You  seem  to 
ufter  the  languaire  of  my  heart  when  you  mourn  for  the  dead- 
ness  of  your  own.  '  I  hear,  but  seem  to  liear  in  vain."  I  try  to 
pray,  but  my  lips  refuse  to  utter  the  language,  because  I  lack 
the  sj)irit  of  prayer.  II<»\v  often  do  I  rise  from  my  knees 
mourning  over  the  solemn  mockery  which  I  liave  been  render- 
ing to  God  under  the  pretence  of  worship.  I  cannot  conceive 
of  a  worse  condition  than  that  in  which  my  soul  sonietimes  is. 
But  yet  it  is  all  my  own  fault  when  our  heavenly  Father  hides 
his  face.  We  know  that  our  Saviour  sympathizes  tenderly  in 
14 


Ior»  SKKTCHra. 

the  suflferiiifi^  of  liis  people.  We  know  that  lie  felt  keenly 
when  he  found  the  disciples  whom  he  had  taken  with  him  to 
watch  'hea"S'7  with  sleep.'  So  he  feels  for  us  when  we  are 
pierced  with  an«;uish  on  account  of  'the  si%  that  remaineth.' 
And,  blessed  be  God,  there  are  times  when  the  love  and  sym- 
pathy of  Christ  are  sweet  to  our  taste — when  standing  beneath 
the  cross,  and  looking  np  to  the  Lamb  of  God,  we  can  t^ay  ^ottr 
Sa/oiour.''  Such  moments  are  rare;  but  yet  one  half  hour  thus 
spent  in  the  morning,  sheds  a  fragrance  over  the  whole  day. 
How  I  long  to  reach  that  state  in  my  progress  when  this  sweet 
sense  of  my  Saviour's  love  shall  abide  with  me  forever.  But 
we  have  need  of  ]>atience,  for  such  attainments  are  not  ^nade 
in  a  day.  And  yet  by  '  ])atient  continuance  in  well  doing  ' — 
by  committing  our  souls  into  his  hands  and  waiting  upon  him, 
we  may  make  great  and  ra])id  progress  in  the  divine  life.  Tlie 
anniversary  of  my  public  profession  of  faith  in  Christ  is  fast 
approaching,  and- 1  feel  somehow  a  reluctance  for  it  to  come. 
There  arc  so  many  sins  which  I  ought  to  have  overcome,  and 
so  many  opportunities  for  doing  good  which  I  did  not  improve, 
that  I  am  filled  with  fear  and  shame.  But  hope  cheers  my 
drooping  heart  when  I  look  up  to  that  arm  which  1  know  is 
able  to  destroy  sin  where  it  remains,  and  to  perfect  good 
where  it  is  begun. 

''In  Christ  'all  the  fullness  of  the  Godhead  dwells.'  Let  us 
come  to  this  fountain  and  receive  this  blood  of  purification 
,  into  our  souls.  Tliis  is  the  only  true  preparation  for  God's 
service,  either  in  the  ministry  or  out  of  it.  I  shall  do  wh'at 
good  1  can  in  my  present  liiie  of  life,  yet  the  infinitel}'  higher 
interests  of  the  church  open  wider  and  more  blessed  fields  of 
labor." 

In  illustration  of  the  ])urpo8e  just  expressed  of  seeking  to 
do  good  in  every  line  of  life,  it  may  be  stated,  that  from  a 
very  early  age  he  sought  to  be  useful  to  the  colored  people — 
beginning  with  his  father's  servants.  This  people  were  greatly 
attached  to  him.     He  was  at  home  but  twice  after  entering  the  ■ 


SKETCHES.  107 

army,  and  that  for  a  very  short  time.  And  yet  the  usual  por- 
tion of  eacli  Sabbath  at  home  was  spent  in  tlic  colored  Sabbath 
School.  Many  of  tliese  people  manifested  tlie  deepest  sorrow 
when  they  learned  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more.  One 
good  old  man,  a  member  of  the  same  church  with  hiinself,  said 
to  his  father  with  many  tears,  ''  I  am  very  sorry  he  is  gone. 
But  you  may  be  sure  tliat  he  is  in  heaven."  His  manner  of- 
approaching  this  class  of  people,  or  of  encouraging  them  to 
approach  liim,  was  so  open,  frank,  and  cordial,  that  they  were 
always  pleased  to  meet  him.  He  often  said,  "  It  pains  me  to 
know — as  I  am  obliged  to  do — that  if  this  war  lasts  long,  the 
colored  people  will  be  tiie  chief  sufferers." 

The  mother  of  a  young  masc-j  belonging  to  the  army  called 
at  the  Lexington  parsonage  to  inform  her  pastor  that  her  son 
seemed  much  interested  about  his  soul,  and,  indeed,  she  hoped 
he  was  a  Christian,  and  would  embrace  the  first  opportunity  to 
connect  himself  with  the  church;  and  tlien,  weeping  as  she 
spoke,  added:  "Tour  son  Hugli  has  been  very  kind  and  faith- 
ful to  liim.  As  he  did  not  belong  to  his  company,  and  as  he 
could  not  easily  see  him,  he  wrote  to  liim;  and  soon  aft(^r  he 
went  over  to  his  camp,  asked  him  to  walk  with  him.  Tliey 
went  together  into  a  grove,  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
camp;  and,  after  conversing  fullj'^  with  him,  he  proposed  that 
they  should  unite  in  prayer;  then,  kneeling  at  the  root  of  a 
tree,  he  prayed  for  the  soul  of  my  son,  and  now  I  hope  he  is  a 
Christian." 

They  were  members  of  the  same  congregation  at,  liome,  but 
in  the  army  one  was  a  ])rivate  in  the  ranks  of  one  company, 
and  the  other  was  the  captain  of  another.  Yet,  unmindful  of 
the  difference  in  their  military  rank,  intent  only  on  the  good 
of  the  young  man's  soul,  he  sought  liim  out,  tiicn  sought  a 
retired  place  in  a  distant  grove,  and  there,  with  the  heavens 
above  and  the  damp  earth  beneath  their  bended  knees,  he 
called  on  God  to  save  his  friend. 

At  the  close  of  a  prayer-meeting  in  the  lecture  room  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  congregation  were  reminded  of  the 


lOS  SKETCHES. 

near  approach  of  their  stated  season  of  coiniuunion,  and  any 
wlio  inif^ht  desire  to  connect  themselves  with  tlie  church  on 
that  occasion  were  requo&ted  to  make  their  wishes  known  to 
the  ]xistor.  As  the  audience  dispersed  a  jrentlenian  was  ob- 
served lingering  at  his  seat.  It  was  a  soldier  who  was  at 
home  on  sick  furlough.  As  the  pastor  approached,  he  took  his 
hand  and  said:  "I  had  hoped  to  connect  myself  with  the 
church  at  the  next  communion,  but  I  shall  be  compelled  to 
return  to  the  army  before  the  time  arrives.  Your  son,  Captain 
White,  had  two  conversations  with  me  at  different  times,  wlien 
we  were  marching  together,  in  reference  to  my  soul,  and  my 
purpose  has  been  fully  formed  for  ^ome  time  to  join  your 
church.     I  am  very  sorry  I  a'.lfi  obliged  to  leave." 

These  are  instances  selected  from  among  many  which  illus- 
trate his  fidelity  in  seeking  the  salvation  of  tJie  souls  of  those 
with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  During  his  last  brief  visit  at 
home,  there  were  a  number  of  sick  and  wounded  soldiers  in 
Lexington.  With  some  of  these  he  had  no  personal  acquaint- 
ance; but  it  is  believed  that  he  visited,  conversed,  and  prayed 
witli^most  or  all  of  them.  It  is  m'oU  remembered  that  lie  more 
than  once  left  tlie  most  attractive  company  to  perform  a  ser- 
vice of  this  sort.  lie  was  remarkably  iVee  from  what  Dr. 
Johnson  calls  "a  whining  ])rc'tenBion  to  goodness."  lie  seldom 
or  never  spoke  in  the  presence  of  others  of  his  religious  emo- 
tions. '  If  he  did  so,  it  M'as  ordinarily  to  those  like-minded  with 
himself,  and  at  times  and  in  places  deemed  appro])riate  to  a 
theme  so  delicate  and  so  sacred.  In  such  society  and  in  such 
places  he  was  judicious,  but  communicative.  ]\rany  of  his 
letters  evince  liow  freely  he  could  pour  out  his  heart  to  a 
friend  whom  he  knew  and  loved. 

Discriminating  between  mere  talk  about  himself  and  words 
fitly  spoken  in  defence  of  the  truth  and  Author  of  the  gospel, 
he  was  ever  ready  to  avow  his  love  for  that  truth  and  liis  vene- 
ration for  its  Author,  afe  well  as  his  fixed  aversion  to  everything 
mean  and  wicked.  His  gentlenesB  and  modesty  never  degene- 
rated into  pusillanimity,  nor  his  }>iety  into  fanaticism.     He 


SKETOHEB.  109 

well  knew  liow  to  be  habitually  clieerful  without  being  frivo- 
lous, and  how  to  commend  true  religion  to  the  cultivated, 
na<mral  taste  of  irreligious  men,  so  as  to  secure  their  resj)ect,  if 
he  could  not  their  allegiance,  to  the  Saviour  he  so  much  loved. 
The  consequence  of  this  was,  that  if,  during  his  life  in  college, 
he  entered  a  room  filled  with  the  gayest  students,  provided 
only  they  were  gentlemen,  he  was  received  with  gladness; 
and  although  his  presence  effectually  restrained  every  form  of 
vicious  excess,  it  never  diminished  tlie  harmless  vivacity  of 
the  party.  God  graciously  taught  liim  at  an  early  age  that 
important,  yet  rare  and  difficult  lesson,  how  to  be  at  pnCe  the 
cheerful  companion  and  the  consistent  and  useful  Christian. 
If  that  was  said  in  his  presfence  which  he  regarded  as  untrue 
or  wicked,  he  ordinarily  dropped  the  conversation  abruptW, 
and  expressed  his  dissent  by  silent  sadness,  ratlier  than  by  a 
bold  and  ill-tempered  resistance.  An  intelligent  gentleman 
traveling  with  him  in  a  stage  coach,  became  the  silent  but  in- 
terested listener  to  a  conversation  between  him  and  a  man 
much  older  tlian  himself,  in  reference  to  the  main  point  then 
at  issue  between  the  North  and  the  South.  The  man,  though 
a  Virginian  by  l)irth,  had  sold  and  jpockeUd  his  servants,  then 
gone  to  Illinois  and  turned  abolitionist.  All  this  leaked  out  in 
the  course  of  the  conversation.  "And  when  this  discovery  was 
made,"  said  our  informant,  "with  a  countenance  expressive  of 
the  deepest  sorrow,  blended  with  the  profoundest  contemjit,  he 
at  once  became  silent,  and  refused  to  hold  any  further  inter- 
course with  his^misguided  and  uiijtrincipled  fellow  traveler." 
His  course  would  have  been  son^what  different,  but  for  the 
disparity  in  their  ages. 

This  sketch  of  his  character  will  explain  in  i)art  his  singular 
usefulness  among  persons  of  all  descrijitions. 

We  left  the  subject  of  these  sketchew  enjoying  the  hospitali- 
ties of  his  friends  in  and 'Ground  Richmond,  after  the  signal 
defeat  of  the  invader.  But  such  enjoyment  was  of  short  du- 
ration. The  enemy,  under  the  command  of  a  man  by  whom 
the  defeated  McClellan  had  been  superseded,  now  sought  to 


110  SKETCHES. 

reach  Riclimond  by  a  raore  circuitbus  route.  Their  new  com- 
mander, "with  great  swelling  words  of  vanity,"  protesting  that 
so  far  in  this  war  he  had  "only  seen  the  backs  of  his  eneniios," 
and  "only  sought  repose  in  tiie  saddle,"  reinforced  by  the 
shattered  remnant  of  his  ]>redece8sor'8  defeated  forces,  was 
moving  in  the  direction  of  the  Central  Railroad,  aiming  to 
reach  that  road  at  a  point  some  sixty  or  seventy  miles  Avest  of 
Richmond.  The  Stonewall  Brigade  was  ordered  to  move 
towards  the  same  point.  Tliey  accordingly  left  their  ]>leasant 
encampment,  and  passing  through  Louisa,  made  a  stand  in  Cul- 
peper.  Daring  the  brief  period  of  comparative  quiet  now 
enjoyed,  lie  wrote  as  follows: 

TO   HIS    SISTKR,    MRS.    DR.    WADK. 

"Madison  County,  July  23,  1862. 

"My  Dear  Sister:  Mr.  Hilton,  of  our  regiment,  starts  for 
Christiansbnrg  to-morrow,  and  riglit  glad  I  am  to  drop  you  a 
line  of  congratulation  upon  the  new  light  which  has  recently 
appeared  in  the  west  and  in  your  house.  Another  star  has 
risen  to  give  light  to  the  world — another  child  to  gladden  the 
heart  of  its  mother — another  niece  to  amuse  and  delight  its 
uncles.  And  this  is  your  daughter  and  my  niece.  It  is  a  real 
pleasure  to  turn  away  one's  thoughts  from  the  war,  with  its 
scenes  of  deadly  strife,  of  bloodshed  and  destruction,  to  the 
quiet  pursuits  and  joys  of  the  lioine  circle.  I  never  felt  hap- 
"pier  than  when  I  sat  down  recently  at  home^  where  no  clash 
of  arms  could  l)o  heard,  and  where  all  was  ])eace.  I  hope  it 
will  not  be  long  until  I  can  see  and  play  with  the  little  ones  of 
your  house. 

"But  our  faces  are  now  turned  towards  Washington,  and 
although  we  are  idle  now,  I  hope  that  our  generals  are  only 
preparing  for  an  advance.  If  invasion  is  feasible,  we  ought  to 
try  it,  that  the  burden  of  the  war  may  be  laid  ui)on  the  liomes 
of  our  enemies,  to  teach  them  how  sore  a  thing  it  is  when  it 
comes  to  our  own  doors.     If  we  remain  idle  after  our  victories, 


SKETCHES.  Ill 

it  only  requires  a  short  time  for  the  Yankees  to  recover  from 
their  defeat  and  panic.  They  are  well  nigh  frightened  to  death 
for  a  while,  but  if  we  leave  them  in  possession  of  all  their 
cities  and  their  homes,  they  feel  secure,  and  soon  create  a  new 
excitement  in  favor  of  the  war,  and  push  forward  the  poor 
Dutch  and  Irish  to  j&ll  their  broken  ranks.  If  the  men  refuse 
to  volunteer,  they  can  h%  forced  out,  and  we  may*80on  expect 
to  see  another  injimense  army  gathering  around  us.  But  they 
have  been  thoroughly  whipped  at  Richmond;  tlieir  effort  is 
seen  to  be  foolish  by  their  own  people ;  and  without  doubt  wo 
shall  ultimately  be  free. 

"When  our  army  came  back  to  Richmond  from  the  lower 
Chickahominy,  we  had  a  delightful  time  with  friends  and  rela- 
tives. Among  others  I  saw  Wm.  S.  White,  Jr.,  whom  I  had 
not  seen  since  he  left  Lexington,  some  eight  or  nine  years  ago. 
He  fought  bravely  at  Bethel  in  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and 
atEllyson's  Mill  he  fought  under  very  affecting  circumstances, 
working  at  his  gun  for  hours  in  full  view  of  the  graves  of  his 
sires.  AVhat  bould  inspire  a  man  with  higher,  holier  courage 
than  the  sight  of  such  a  place  at  such  a  time? 

"I  also  saw  another  cousin,  George  A.  Jones,  who  was  so 
badly  wounded  in  one  of  the  many  battles  around  Richmond. 
He  seems  to  be  comfortable  now,  and  doing  well.  But  I  fear 
he  is  yet  to  suffer  more  than  he  anticipates.  It  is  thought  by 
some  that  the  ball  is  yet  in  his  foot,  although  the  surgeon 
thinks  that  it  inflicted  the  wound  without  permanently  enter- 
ing.    Aunt  M ,  his  mother,  is  quite  well    and  cheerful, 

greatly  delighted  to  breathe  the  pure  Southern  air,  untainted 
by  the  presence  and  the  breath  of  our  cruel  invaders.  Their 
family  suffered  from  the  depredations  of  the  enemy  only  to 
the  amount  of  one  thousand  dollars,  which  was  so  much  less 
than  many  of  their  neighbors  suffered,  that  they  estimate  tliat 
as  nothing. 

"T paid  them  a  short  visit  at  Hilly  Farm,  and  was 

much  pleased  with*  all  he  saw,  and  especially,  I  thmk,  with  all 
he  aie.     lie  feasted  on  peaches,  j^ears,  apricots,  dec. 


112  SKETCHFIS. 

"We  saw  Aunt  E also.     Her  home  near  the  eastern 

extreniitv  of  Broad  street,  is  very  comfortable.  She  has  been 
greatly  troubled  and  excited  by  the  Yankees,  but  now  lawjlis 
all  aver  at  the  way  they  liave  been  driven  off. 

"Give  my  warmest  love  to  Cousin  II and  all  the  chil- 
dren —  they  are  too  many  now  to  mention  all  by  name. 
T.  would  \\'tite,  but  he  has  so  thoroughly  exhausted  himself 
by  writing  four  full  pages  of  foolscap  to  father,  that  it  is 
imf)0ssible. 

"Your  devoted  brother,  HUGII." 

Soon  after  the  writing  of  the  foregoing  letter  the  battle  of. 
Cedar  Run  occurred.  In  this  he  bore  an  active  part,  but  so 
rapid  were  the  movements  of  our  army  after  this  that  he  failed 
to  write  a  full  description  of  that  memorable  engagement,  from 
which  he  and  his  youngest  brother,  so  often  referred  to  in  Ins 
letters,  escaped  unhurt. 

All  that  he  wrote  respecting  this  battle  may  be  found  in  the 
following  liasty  sketch  to  his  father,  written  near  Gordonsville, 
August  13,  1862 : 

"  My  whole  company  passed  safely  through  the  recent  battle 
in  Culpeper.  The  favor  of  God  to  us  calls  for  the  highest 
praise.  O,  that  we  could  all  learn  to  lean  upon  and  trust  him 
at  all  times. 

"  I  was  greatly  pleased  with  the  behavior  of  my  boys  in  the 
light.  The  loss  in  our  Brigade  was  only  twelve  or  fifteen 
killed,  and  as  many  wounded.  This  is  very  surprising,  as  we 
advanced  through  an  open  Held  upon  the  enemy,  who  fought 
under  the  cover  of  woods-^at  least  they  were  driven  to  this 
position  from  the  open  lields,  and  were  soon  driven  thence 
also.  The  pursuit  was  very  short,  for  night  soon  covered  all 
the  field  with  dhrkness.  Several  pieces  of  artillery  were 
taken,  together  with  four  or  five  hundred  prisoners,  while  the 
enemy  weni  driven  entirely  from  the  field,'  leaving  their  dead 
and   many  of   their  wounded  in  our  hands.     We  slept  that 


SKETCHES.  113 

night  just  where  t^ie  enemy's  cannon  had  been  placed,  and 
expected  to  awake  at  dajHi>;lit  to  follow  n]>  the  pursnit. 

"During  the  night  a  brilliant  cannonade  was  kept  up  for 
several  liours.  As  Gen.  Jackson  could  not  push  on  after  the 
Yankees  himself,  he  was  determined  to  make  the  shells  follow 
them.  We  stood  and  observed  the  scene  with  great  interest. 
We  could  see  the  flash  of  our  cannon,  sometimes  the  bright 
track  of  the  shell,  and  then  the  bursting  of  it.  The  shells 
were  poured  all  through  the  woods  into  which  the  enemy  had 
run,  and  we  hear  from  prisoners  taken  afterwards  that  they 
did  them  much  harm.  They  ijiade  a  feeble  etfort  to  reply  to 
our  guns,  but  with  no  effect. 

"As  one  or  two  of  their  shells  fell  witliin  our  Brigade,  we 
concluded  to  move  our  beds  a  short  distance  and  then  slept 
until  morning.  Why  we  did  not  pursue  the  enemy  I  cannot 
understand,  unless  the  report  that  Burnside  was  trying  to  cut 
us  oif  at  Orange  Court  House,  was  true.  But  this  is  certain, 
we  have  met  the  boastful  outlaw,  Pojie,  and  whi]^ped  him 
thoroughh',  and  this,  I  trust,  will  discourage  the  Yankees  still 
more,  and  fill  our  hearts  with  more  lively  hope  and  confidence 
in  God. 

"We  lost  our  Brigadier  Gen.  Winder.  He  was  struck  in  tlie 
side  with  a  shell  and  died  in.  a  few  hours.  He  was  a  most 
gallant  soldier,  and  by  his  admirable  di8ci])line,  was  not  only 
keeping  the  Brigade  eflScient,  but  was  making  it  better,  I 
think,  than  it  ever  was  before.  His  last  words  exhibited  a 
noble  spirit.  '  Tell  my  wife  and  children,'  he  said,  *  that  I 
died  like  a  brave  soldier.' 

"  Our  loss  in  the  2d  Brigade  was  very  heavy.  Tlie  '  Dixie 
Greys,'  from  Iloanoke,  were  almost  destroyed.  Our  total  loss 
is  over  a  hundred  killed,  and  several  hundred  wounded. 

"The  scene  on  the  battle  field  was  more  like  the  pictures  of 
battles  than  any  I  had  ever  witnessed.  As  we,  on  the  left, 
moved  forward  and  gained  the  tojt  of  a  ridge  before  us,  wo 
could  see  the  line  of  battle  extcjiding  around  to  the  extreiye 
right,  all  along  which  the  smoke  rolled  up  in  great  clouds,  and 
16 


114  SKE'l'CUKB. 

fire  from  tlie  Uvo  sides  flashed  fiercely  at^eacli  other.  I  did 
not  have  time  to  look  long  at  this  scene,  for  a  little  smoke,  and 
some  fire  too,  nearer  at  hand  engaged  my  attention.       !• 

"  T.  and  I  were  6e])arated  from  our  regiment  towards  the 
close  of  the  fight,  but  found  it  after  the  fight  was  over.  The 
Colonel  had  recalled  it  to  form  in  line  of  battle.  I  did  not 
know  of  the  order  until  we  were  so  far  ahead  that  I  was  unwil- 
ling to  go  back.  The  Yankees  were  running,  as  they  only 
can  run,  and  the  rest  of  our  army  were  in  hot  pursuit  oi  them. 
AVe  fell  in  Avith  another  regiment,  therefore,  and  went  ahead. 
T.,  J.  M.,  and  "Willie  Preston,  fought  nmch  of  the  time  right 
at  my  side,  and  deserve  great  praise.  T.  was  left  at  the  camp 
near  Gordonsville,  sick,  when  we  started  to  Culpe})er,  but 
expecting  that  we  would  have  a  fight,  came  on  to  tak*?  part  in 
it  of  his  own  accord. 

"  I  hear  that  our  boys,  captured  at  the  battle  of  Kernstown, 
are  now^  at  home.  This  is  delightful  news.  Give  my  love  to 
them  all,  especially  to  Morrison.     AVrite  soon  to 

"  Your  affectionate  son,  HUGH." 

The  second  battle  of  Manassas,  in  which  he  fell,  Avas  now 
near.  The  rise  of  the  Rap])a]uinnock  separated  them  from  their 
wagons  and  their  rations.  They  consequently  sufl'ered  very 
severely,  for  two  days,  from  hunger.  During  this  time  he 
wrote  the  last  letter  that  ever  issued  from  his  pen.  It  is  dated 
"  Banks  of  the  Rappahannock,  August  24,  1862,"  and  is  as 
follows : 

"  My  Deak  Fatuer  :  Y"ou  are  all  no  doubt  anxious  to  hear 
'from  T.  and  myself.  We  have  not  had  another  battle,  though 
there  has  been  some  sharp  skirmishing,  and  the  roar  of  artil- 
lery has  been  almost  incessant  for  several  days  past.  We  have 
moved  some  distance  uj)  the  bnnk  of  the  Rappahannock  each 
day,  halting  occasionally  to  throw  shells  at  the  enemy  and 
receive  some  from  them.  We  have  had  their  shells  to  awake 
Uf«  in  the  morning,  keep  us  unelasy  during  the  day,  and  scarcely 


SKETCHES.  115 

to  allow  us  to  sleep  at  nigbt.  They  have  sometimes  split  the 
trees  under  which  we  were  lying,  but  we  have  thus  far  escaped 
without  injury.  General  Stuart  has  just  cajAured  three  hun- 
dred prisoners,  destroyed  a  large  number  of  Yankee  wagons, 
bringing  off  the  horses,  and  found  the  trunks  of  General  Pope 
and  thirty  other  officers  at  a  railroad  station.  He  took  a  fine 
uniform  coat,  marked  'General  John  Pope.'  Our  Major  saw 
this  coat.  We  thus  annoy  the  Yankees  a  little,  though  it  costs 
us  hard  service  and  allows  us  little  to  cat.  But  our  wagons 
have  just  arrived,  furnished  us  abundantly  with  bread  and 
bacon,  and  wo  are  all  right  once  more.  The  Yankee  artillery 
still  continues  to  roar,  but  all  are  as  merry  in  camp  as  if  the 
enemy  were  a  thousand  miles  off.  It  is  wonderful  how  indif- 
ferent men  can  become  to  the  most  horrible  scenes.  T.  is 
now  behind  the  army,  sick  with  the  jaundice.  He  is  able  to 
go  about,  and  I  have  just  heard  that  he  was  with  a  citizen, 
making  liis  way  towards  Gordonsville.  He  has  the  surgeon's 
permission.  I  deeply  regret  that  I  did  not  see  him  again,  and 
furnish  him  with  more  money  before  .ha  left.  He  must  be 
transferred  to  the  cavalry,  for  he  caimot  stand  the  infantry 
service, 

"The  order  has  juit  cojnc  to  cook  three  days'  rations,  and  it 
18  probable  that  we  shall  move  forward  in  tlie  morning.  But 
no  one  knows. 

"This  has  been  very  little  like  the  Sabbath.  With  spirits 
saddened  by  hunger  and  fretted  by  the  constant  roar  of  artil- 
lery, we  have  been  kejit  in  an  uncomfortable  frame  of  mind. 
The  busy  preparations  for  to-morrow  prevent  any  enjoyment 
of  the  Sabbath.  However,  Dr.  Stiles  is  to  preach  to  the  Brig- 
ade this  afternoon,  and  I  hope  to  hear  him.  It  requires  a 
great  struggle  to  keep  tlic  busy  scenes  around  me  from  driv- 
ing all  devotion  from  my  heart.  Tliey  ought  to  have  a  con- 
trar}'^  effect.  I  ought  now  more  than  ever  to  seek  my  strength, 
my  happiness,  my  all,  in  God.  How  could  I  live  without  liim? 
With  him  no  storm  can  disturb  my  peace,  no  danger  can  come 
nigh,  no  harm  can  befall  which  will  not  do  mo  good. 


116  SKETCHES. 

"I  feel  iijrcatly  relieved  at  T.'s  absence.  I  hope  be  may  not 
rtturn  ujitil  tlie  sliock  of  battle  I  see  ap])roachi!ii;  is  past.  I 
can  but  feel  confident  that  all  will  be  well  when  it  does  come. 
God  will  give  us  the  victory,  and  enable  ps  to  crush  the  infa- 
mous man  who  now  leads  '  the  grand  army  of  the  glorious 
Union.'  When  Lincoln  presides,  with  Ualleck  as  military 
chief  at  Washington,  and  Pope  as  the  first  commander  in  the 
field,  how  can  they  triumpli  over  our  leaders,  who  are  as  dis- 
tinguished for  their  piety  as  they  arc  for  their  bravery  and 
skill.  ■   '  ' 

"I  send  you  three  hundred  dollars.  Of  this  I 'wish  you  to 
ap])ropriate  one  hundred  dollars  for  T.'s  outfit  for  the  cavalry, 
one  liundrcd  to  be  held  subject  to  my  order,  and  one  hundred 
as  a  donation  to  the  Confederate  States  Bible  Society  and  uur 
committee  for  the  publication  of  religious  tracts  and  books. 

"Give  my  warmest  love  to  all  at  home.  You  are  constantly 
in  my  mind  and  firmly  engraved  upon  my  heart.  Write  when 
you  can  to  your  devoted  son,  HUGH." 

The  tone  of  this  letter  difiers  from  all  his  former  letters.  It 
manifests  a  strong  presentiment  of  the  terrible  conflict  in  wiiich 
he  so  emphaticaily  jn-edicts  that  our  armjif^jWas  to  conquer,  and 
in  which,  though  unknown  to  himself,  he  was  to  fall.  The 
satisfaction  he  expresses  at  the  absence  of  his  3'oung  and  nnich 
loved  brother,  almost  warrants  the  supposition  that  he  ex- 
pected to  fall.  Alas!  alas!  he  never  heard  from  us  more,  nor 
we  from  him  until  the  sad  tidings  came  of  his  death. 

Nothing  is  better  known  than  the  rapid  and  prolonged  march 
of  the  Stonewall  Brigade,  and  others  under  Jackson's  command, 
for  the  ])urpose  of  getting  into  the  rear  of  the  enemy.  In  this 
they  were  successful.  They  marched  sixty-two  miles  in  two 
days — the  2(Jth  and  27th  of  August.  Gen.  Longstreet  sought 
to  unite  with  Gen.  Jackson,  but  was  delayed  by  encountering 
the  enemy  on  the  wa}',  and  thus,  for  two  days,  Jackson,  with 
a  very  inferior  ^oi't^e,  held  the  army  of  Gen.  Pope  in  check. 
During  these  two  memorable  days  the  issue  was  still  undecided. 


SKETCHES.  117 

The  fighting  however,  was  desperate,  and  some  of  Virginia's 
noble  young  sons  perished.  Among  these  were  Henry  R. 
Paine,  of  the  Ilockbridgc  Artillery, ,  and  Wm.  C.  Preston,  of 
the  Liberty  Hall  Yolunteers,  both  natives  of  Lexington,  and 
both  highly  distinguished  for  their  accurate  scholarship,  their 
consistent  piety,  and  their  indomitable  courage. 

When  the  approach  of  night*  closed  the  conflict  »jn  Fri- 
day, the  29tli  of  August,  Colonel  Baylor,  acting  Bri*;adier  ^f 
the  Stonewall  Brigade,  sent  for  Capt.  White,  and  proposed 
that  a  prayer-meeting  sliould  be  held,  at  his  quarters.  This 
proposal  nifjit  a  prompt  and  joyous  acceptance,  and  the  young 
Captain  conducted  the  meeting.  On  the  ensuing  morning. 
Gen.  Lee,  reinforced  by  the  arrival  of  Gen.  Longstreet,  re- 
newed the  attack,  and  then  came  one  of  the  most  desperate 
and  sanguinary  conflicts  on  record,  which  ended  in  the  total 
defeat  of  the  enemy.  But  to  the  counties  of  Augusta  and 
Rockbridge,  the  victory  was  dearly  bought.  The  former  lost 
her  loved  and  honored  Baylor,  the  other  her  brave  young 
Captain  Hugh  A.  AVhite.  On  Friday  night  tliese  oflicers 
mingled  with  many  of  their  comrades  in  prayer  and  praise, 
and  on  Saturday  afternoon,  they  passed  almost  at  the  same 
instant,  from  the  carnage  of  the  battle-field  to  the  purity  and 
peace  of  heaven.  As  fellow-heirs  of  the  grace  of  life,  they 
were  lovely  in  their  lives,  and  in  their  death  they  were  not 
divided.  « 

The  Sabbath  and  the  sermon  spoken  of  in  the  preceding 
letter,  were  the  last  our  dear  boy  ever  heard  or  spent  on  earth, 
and  the  prayer-meeting  conducted  by  himself  in  the  tent  of 
Colonel  Baylor,  on  the  night  preceding  his  deatl^,  was  the  last 
he  ever  attended.  As  the  last  charge  was  made,  whoh  the 
issue  of  the  desperate  struggle  was  extremely  doubtful,  and 
when  it  was  rendered  more  so  by  the  fall  of  acting  Brigadier 
Baylor,  who  was  bearing  the  colors  of  the  33d  Rcginu-nt,  our 
brave  young  Captain  rushed  forward,  seized  the  colters  afi  they 
fell,  waved  thorn  in  view  of  the  Brigade,  advanced  in  front, 
until  clouds  of  smoke  hid  him  from  the  view  of  liis  own  com- 


118  SKETCHES. 

pany  and  of  his  comrades-in-arms,  when  he  fell,  and  was  found 
by  his  company  as  they  advanced  in  ]Mir8uit  of  tlie  retroatiiiix 
foe.  It  is  not  known  tliat  any  human  eye  saw  l\im  fall,  or 
whether  he  spoke  or  even  breathed  after  the  murderous  missile 
entered  his  breast.  But  we  needed  no  dying  words  to  assure 
us  of  liis  safety.  We  needed  no  otlier  farewell  than  that  con- 
tained in  the  preceding  Ictte'r. 

,A  dear  friend— herself  afflicted  much  in  tlic  same  way — 
wrote  thus  to  his  mother:  "May  the  tender  Jesus  who  said, 
'  Weep  not '  to  his  owu  mother  in  the  extremity  of  her  suffer- 
ings, say  the  same  to  you,  dear  friend.  What  ne^  have  we 
to  look  away  from  the  surroundings  of  our  dear  ones'  deaths, 
to  forget  the  battle  and  the  blood,  and  all  the  awful  circum- 
stances through  which  they  passed  into  the  pure  presence  of 
God.  "Think  of  it — the  exchange  of  the  boom  of  cannon  for 
'  the  harpers,  harping  with  their  harps  ' — the  shrieks  of  furious 
enemies  for  the  hallelujahs  of  angels — the  fierce  onset  for  the 
'  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father ' — the  madness  of  war  for  the 
boundless  peace  of  Heaven.  These  were  the  exchanges  your 
precious  boy  made  when  he  breathed  out  his  life  into  the 
hands  of  his  Saviour.  For  himself,  he  felt  nothing  but  a  holy 
joy,  as  our  Willie*  did,  and  if  he  turned  his  thoughts  to  the 

*  Wm.  C.  Preston,  son  of  Col.  J.  T.  L.  Preston,  of  Lexington,  Va.,  who  fell  in 
the  same  battle. 

The  following  extrfbt  is  taken  from  a  sketch  of  his  life  and  death,  published  in 
the  Central  Presbyterian : 

'"Don't  distress  yourselves  about  nie,  boys,  I  am  not  afraid  to  die,'  ho  said  to 
his  comrades,  as  they  pressed  aaixiously  around  him.  There  spoke  the  considerate 
friend — the  chivalrous  young  soldier — the  fearless  christian.  Of  the  few  remain- 
ing hours  of  his  life,  little  is  known.  Thus  much  we  are  permitted  to  know.  His 
beloved  Captain,  ITuKh  A.  White,  was  with  him  on  the  morning  preceding  his 
death.  Turning  to  the  Surgeon,  Willie  asked  if  it  was  possible  for  him  to  sur- 
vive; he  received  a  negative  answer.  'Could  you  get  a  letter  to  my  father?'  he 
asked  of  Captain  White.  Upon  being  reminded  of  the  ditficulty,  he  acquiesced 
and  said  :  'Then  I  will  deliver  my  incf^sages  to  you.'  These  undelivered  messages 
are  forever  sealed  up  in  the  bosom  of  the  noble  young  leader,  who  foil,  instantly 
killed,  a  few  hours  later." 

Thus  let  the  names  of  these  mai  tyrs  in  the  cause  of  their  country  go  down  to 
4)08terity  together. 


SKETCHES.  1  1  9 

anguish  of  his  father  and  his  mother  at  his  loss,  it  must  have 
been  with  the  triumphant  assurance  that  the  trust  in  Jesus 
which  thej  had  taught  him,  and  which  was  strong  enough  for 
him  to  die  hy,  was  also  strong  enough  for  tJiem  to  live  hy. 

"  You  are  an  honored  mother  to  have  reared  silch  a  son  for 
immortality.  He  did  not  need  long  years  to  fit  him  for  a  life 
with  God,  and  if  he  has  gotten  home  the  loonest,  without  the 
toilsome  march,  yon  will  not  think  that  cause  of  sorrow,  dear 
friend.  If  he  could  lean  from  the  heavenly  heights  to-day, 
would  he  not  say  something  like  this :  '  Precious  mother, 
there  is  no  need  of  tears  for  me.  I  had  all  the  happiness  earth 
can  give.  I  had  a  sweet,  beautiful  life  with  you  all,  and  with- 
out the  trial  of  any  grief,  am  translated  now  to  the  full  posses- 
sion of  the  bliss  of  God's  redeemed.     Rejoice  in  my  joy.' 

"His  dear  father  and  you  have  my  tears  and  prayers.  What 
have  I  else  to  give? 

"  Yours  in  like  faith  and  suflferings, 

M.  J.  P." 

From  a  large  number  of  letters  written  to  his  family  and 
friends,  it  is  deemed  advisable  to  insert  extracts  from  only 
three.  All  these  relate  chiefly  to  the  time  and  manner  of  his 
death.  As  to  the  slight  discrepancy  which  appears  in  two  of 
these  accounts  of  the  posture  in  which  he  was  found,  it  is  suf- 
ficient to  remark,  that  one  saw  him  before  and  the  other  after 
he  had  been  turned  from  the  posture  in  which  he  fell. 

The  first  of  these  extracts  is  from  a  letter  of  General  TIioimhs 
J.  Jackson  to  llev.  Dr.  Da1)ney.     TTie  General  says: 

"In  the  second  battle  of  Manassas  I  lost  more  than  one  per- 
sonal friend.  Among  the  number  was  Capt.  Hugh  A.  White. 
We  were  members  of  the  same  church,  and  had 'been  colabor- 
ers  in  the  same  Sabbatli-scjiool.  His  Ciiristian  labors  were 
not  confined  to  times  of  peace.  In  the  army  he  adorned  the 
doctrine  of  Christ,  his  Saviour.  When  Testaments  or  other 
religious  works  were  to  Ik-  dibtribnte*],  I  fduixl  him  ready  for 


120  sKETciras. 

the  work.  Though  his  loss  must  be  mourned,  yet  it  is  stratify- 
ing to  know  that  he  has  left  us  a  bright  example,  and  that  ho 
fell,  sword  in  hand,  gallantly  cheering  on  his  men,  and  leading 
them  to  victory  in  rejielling  the  last  attack  of' the  enemy  upon 
that  bloody  field. 

"Very  truly  your  ft-iend, 

•  "  "T.  J.  JACKSON." 

The  following  extract  is  from  a  letter  to  his  brother  from 
one  who  served  with  him  as  lirst  lieutenant,  and  who  suc- 
ceeded him  as  captain,  and  who  was  wounded  on  the  previous 
day : 

"  Deak  Sir  :  I  have  endeavored  to  ])rocuro  all  the  particu- 
lars of  your  brc»ther's  fall,  but  have  only  partially  succeeded. 
Many  saw  liini  just^  previous  to  his  death,  and  several  \evy 
soon  afterward,  but  I  can  find  no  one  who  saw  liini  in  the 
interval  between  the  time  when  he  was  struck  and  when  he 
expired,  if  there  was  any.  The  reason  seems  to  be  this: 
Immediatel}'  before  Jie  was  shot,  the  brigade  had  been  ordered 
to  charge,  but  had  not  proceeded  far  before  it  was  thrown  into 
considerable  confusion,  partly  by  obstructions  in  the  line  of 
march,  but  principally  by  the  fierce  resistance  of  the  enemy ; 
and  it  was  just  at  this  juncture,  when  comjianies  were  sej^a- 
rated  from  their  regiments,  and  officers  from  their  companies, 
that  your  brother,  eager  to  meet  the  foe,  and  undismjiyed  by 
the  circumstances  which  ha<l  j^roduced  a  terhporary  confusion 
in  his  regiment,  having  advanced  far  to  the  front  with  his 
Bword  in  one  haiid  and  his  hat  in  the  other,  calling  on  his  men 
to  follow  him,  fell  unobserved  near  the  spot  already  hallowed 
by  the  blood  of  the  gallant  Colonel  Baylor.  Before  his  .fall, 
and  probably  at  the  moment  the  fatal  missile  entered  his  noble 
bosom,  he  was  bearing  the  standard  with  which  Colonel  Bay- 
lor fell  while  leading  the  brigade  to  the  charge. 

"But  although  on  account  of  the  confusion,  his  death  was 
unobserved,  his  presence  was  soon  missed,  and  a  member  of 


SKETCHES.  121 

his  company,  fearing  he  had  been  injured,  proceeded  to  Jook 
for  him,  and  soon  found  his  body.  He  was  lying  on  liis  face, 
resting  it  in  liis  hands,  and  his  pistol  and  his  unsheathed  sword 
lay  by  his  side. 

"He  was  afterwards  'buried  on  the  field'  by  a  few  of  his 
little  band,  assisted  by  some  friends  from  other  companies. 
"Thus  fell  our  beloved  Captain,  mourned  not  only  by  the 
m  ^  conipany  that  had  followed  him  so  long,  but  by  every  soldier 
'  "Nfko  knew  him.  We  loved  him  not  only  as  a  soldier,  but  also 
and  especially  as  a  Christian  gentleman.  As  a  soldier  and 
officer  he  was  a  model;  to  his  company  he  was  exceedingly 
kind,  but  his  kindness  never  assumed  the  form  of  partiality. 
}le  was  just.  In  the  camp  he  devoted  himself  exclusively  to 
the  promotion  of  its  interests,  teirt^joral  and  eternal.  In  action 
he  was  perfectly  fearless,  yet  his  courage  was  controlled  by  a 
sound  discretion.  On  such  occasions  he  was  possessed  with  a 
peculiar  enthusiasm — an  unconquerable  zeal  and  determination 
to  meet  the  foe,  and  consequently  he  was  always  seen  among 
those  gallant  spirits  who  go  farthest  in  the  direction  of  the 
foe.  *  His  command  never  was  ^go  on^  but  alwaj's  'come  on.' 
"As  a  Christian  gentleman  he  was  also  a  model.  Such  ear- 
'  nestness  of  disposition — such  nobility  of  soul — such  sublimity 
of  purpose — such  humility — such  devotion  to.  Christ's  cause, 
not  inducing  noisy  demonstrations,  but  those  quiet,  irresistible 
movements,  which  are  like  the  sikMit  flow  of  deep  streams. 
lEow  rare  are  such  ciiaracters!  I  have  never  known  one  as 
young  as  he,  so  faultless.  His  ])iety  was  active — a  real  living 
))rinciple  whose  movements  and  influences  were  seen  and  felt, 
not  only  by  his  fellow  Christians,  but  also  by  all  who  came  in 
contact  with  him.  His  eflforts  to  secure  the  salvation  of  his 
company  were  unceasing,  and  to  compass  this  end  he  was 
much  in  prayer,  and  abounded  in  good  works.  As  often  as 
circumstances  permitted,  he  distril)uted  religious  reading — 
tracts,  newspapers,  memoirs,  <fec. — afmong  his  company  and 
sometimes  in  the  regiment.     It  was  also  his  custom,  as  occa. 

It; 


122  RKKTCHES. 

aion.onei'ed.  to  assemble  his  company  nightly  before  the  door 
of  his  tent  for  relii^ioiis  services. 

"We  deeply  mourn  his  loss,  and  feel  that  his  place  can  never 
be  filled.     But 

'Though  lost  to  sight,  to  memory  ever  deur.' 

"  It  gives  me  unspeakable  pleasure  thus  to  bear  testimony 
to  the  inestimable  worth  of  your  noble  brother.  ^  - 

"  Your  friend,  G.  li.  S?T^  i«  • 

The  last  extract  is  ham  a  letter  to  I^ev.  Dr.  Brown,  of  Rich- 
mond, troin  one  who,  at  the  time,  belonged  to  the  Rockbridge 
Artillery,  but  who  was  soon  after  promoted  to  a  place  on  Gen. 
Jackson's  staff.  Dr.  Brown  jjublished  this  extract  in  the  Cen- 
tral Presbyterian.     Th*e  writer  says: 

•'The  ' Stonewall  Brigade '  received  the  attack  well;  was 
flanked  by  a  strong  body  of  the  eneni}',  fell  buck  a  few  rods, 
changed  front  and  again  advancing,  drove  the  enemy  with 
great  slaughter  from  the  field  and  the  cover  which  they  sowght. 
The  result  to  our  dear  old  brigade  was  tearful.  Col.  Baylor, 
commanding,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  O!  how  sad  I  am  to  « 
tell  you,  that  ojir  dear  friend,  Capt.  Hugh  A.  White,  of  Lex- 
ington, the  noblest  of  soldiers,  fell  pierced  through  his  body, 
when  in  advance  of  the  brigade,  with  hat  and  sword  in  hand, 
calling  to  his  men,  'tjome  on,  come  on.'  I  have  seen  no  one 
myself  who  saw  him  fall.  Just  after  this  success  of  our 
brigade  we  advanced  with  our  battery  to  cover  thi3ir  advancing 
columns.  The  ground  was  strewn  around  with  the  gallant, 
dearly  loved  veterans  ot  our  old  Stonewall  Brigade.  Beyond 
was  the  long  line  of  blue-coated  hirelings,  who  paid  for  their 
crime  with  their  life's  blood. 

"  I  Btood  leaning  against  my  gun,  waiting  for  orders  and 
watching  the  tide  of  bitftle  as  it  steadily  receded  from  me. 
Soon  one  of  the  Liberty  Hall  Volunteers  caiue  up,  and,  with 


SKETCHES.  123 

tears  rolling  down  his  cheeks,  told  us  his  l)rave  Captain  was 
lyinp:  there  in  front  of  us. 

"  I  ran  forward,  and  there,  too  true^  was  my  best,  my  noblest 
friend,  with  his  sweet,  lovely  face  upturned,  his  eyes  gazing 
upon  that  world  where  his  spirit  had  gone,  and  his  body  in  its 
last,  long  sleep. 

"  His  sword  had  been  already  taken  aM^ay.  I  found  and  took 
off  his  Bible  and  several  letters.  It  was  indeed  heart-rending 
as  we  gathered  around.  Dear,  dear  Hugh,  the  purest,  the 
truest,  the  best  of  us  all.  May  we  of  his  companions  who  are 
spared,  live  to  love  and  serve  our  God  more  and  better,  and 
die  to  meet  him  in  our  home  above.  What  a  blessed  ministry 
did  wc  anticipate  in  his !  How  full  of  the  promise  of  useful- 
ness were  his  amiable,  attractive  qualities,  his  accurate  and 
increasing  attainments,  and  his  quiet,  yet  earnest,  active  piet}'. 
But  I  must  say  no  more,  though  of  this  subject  my  heart 
and  head  are  full.  Our  victory  is  great.  Again  let  us  turn  to 
God — !nay  his  goodness  lead  us  to  new  repentance  and  obe- 
dience.    "  J.  P.  S." 

God  was  good  in  giving  this  son,  good  in  making  him  what 
lie  was,  and  no  less  good  in  taking  him  away,  just  when  and 
■  s  He  did.  The  belief  is  sincerely  entertained,  that  neither 
vanity  nor  ostentation  prompts  to  this  tjffort  to  perpetuate  his 
memory.  But  as  it  was  the  ruling  desire  of  his  heart  to  make 
this  bad  world  better,  and  as  tlie  bitterest  grief  of  his  parents 
on  account  of  his  early  death,  flows  from  tlie  consideration 
that  he  did  not  accompliali  this  l)y  living,  this  effort  is  made  so 
to  perpetuate  his  existence  on  earth  that,  being  dead,  he  may 
vet  speak.  Well  may  the  old  ask,  why 'are  we  feeble, 
withered,  fruitless  l)ranche8  spared,  and  they,  so  young,  so 
fresh,  so  fruitful,  taken  away  ?  God's  ways  are  not  our  ways, 
neither  are  his  thoughts  ours.  He  may  render  tlie  youth  like 
this,  who  dies  at  twenty-two,  accomplish  fjCr  more  Cor  man's 


1 24  SKETCHES. 

good  and  His  own  glory  than  they  who  live  to  three-score  and 
ten  years. 

The  young  are  not  likely  to  find  a  more  striking  illustration 
of  the  fruth,  that  "  the  ways  of  wisdom  ai*e  ways  of  pleasant- 
ness, and  all  her  paths  are  peace,"  than  his  life  furnishes.  lie 
was  habitually  cheerful  and  happy.  Seeking  to  enjoy  every- 
thing in  God,  he  enjoyed  God  in  everything,  and  thus  even 
the  vicissitudes  of  life  ministered  to  his  comfort.  His  life  was 
beautiful,  and  liis  deatli  safe,  honorable,  and  useful. 


